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Definition of "cavalier" []

  • A gallant or chivalrous man, especially one serving as escort to a woman of high social position; a gentleman. (noun)
  • A mounted soldier; a knight. (noun)
  • A supporter of Charles I of England in his struggles against Parliament. Also called Royalist. (noun)
  • Showing arrogant or offhand disregard; dismissive: a cavalier attitude toward the suffering of others. (adjective)
  • Carefree and nonchalant; jaunty. (adjective)

American Heritage(R) Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright (c) 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Use "cavalier" in a sentence
  • "The "I have no life so I sit on IRC 24 hours a day" award goes to: cavalier (cav, cavalier_)"
  • "Although it originally had connotations of being gallant, in the context of the revolution the term cavalier would come to be used by the opponents of the king as a derogatory term for anyone who acted in an aristocratic or haughty manner."
  • "Zau al-Makan thanked him therefor, and the slogan arose and the sabre was drawn; but, as things stood thus, behold, there came forth a cavalier from the ranks of Roum; and, as he drew near, they saw that he was mounted on a slow paced she mule, fleeing with her master from the shock of swords."