knight (n t)n. 1. a. Abbr. Knt. or Kt. A medieval tenant giving military service as a mounted man-at-arms to a feudal landholder. b. Abbr. Knt. or Kt. A medieval gentleman-soldier, usually high-born, raised by a sovereign to privileged military status after training as a page and squire. c. Abbr. K. A man holding a nonhereditary title conferred by a sovereign in recognition of personal merit or service to the country. 2. Abbr. Knt. or Kt. A man belonging to an order or brotherhood. 3. a. A defender, champion, or zealous upholder of a cause or principle. b. The devoted champion of a lady. 4. Abbr. Kt or N Games A chess piece, usually in the shape of a horse's head, that can be moved two squares along a rank and one along a file or two squares along a file and one along a rank. The knight is the only piece that can jump other pieces to land on an open square. tr.v. knight·ed, knight·ing, knights To raise (a person) to knighthood. [Middle English, from Old English cniht.] knight  ly adj. & adv.knight li·ness n. |
knights
- on one's high horse - At one time, knights, kings, and other VIPs rode on chargers, while ladies and others rode on smaller saddle horses, begetting the phrase "on one's high horse."
- full tilt - Meaning "full speed," it is from the encounter at full gallop of knights in a tilt (lance combat).
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