Definition of "equites" [eq•ui•tes]

• An order of knights holding a middle place between the senate and the commonalty; members of the Roman equestrian order. (noun)

Gnu Collaboartive International Dictionary of English: licensed under The Code Project Open License (CPOL)

• "Nor is the opinion of Hannibal opposed to this who, when he saw in the engagement at Cannae that the Consuls made their horsemen descend on foot, making a mock of a like proceeding, said: Quam malem vinctos mini traderent equites, that is, I would have more concern if they would give them to me bound."
• "Among them was one of the consuls; a large number of their knights, their "equites," and a great number of their prominent men."
• "Realist, philosopher, opportunist and social climber, he was no patrician but a knight of the Empire, a member of the equites, a position of class that could be purchased in those days for a price."