| 释义 |
knight-ˈerrantry
[f. prec. + -ry.]
1. The practice of a knight-errant; the action of knights who wandered in search of adventures.
1654Gayton Pleas. Notes 9 This order of Knight-errantry is very ancient; when there were but three persons in the World, one was of this order, even Cain. 1764Reid Inquiry I. Ded. 95 If all belief could be laid aside, piety, friendship, &c., would appear as ridiculous as knighterrantry. 1814Scott Chivalry (1874) 9 They achieved deeds of valour..only recorded in the annals of knight-errantry. 1860Adler Fauriel's Prov. Poetry xv. 342 In the poetical monuments of Southern France I find the most ancient indications of knight-errantry.
attrib.1645Evelyn Diary 11 Apr., The prizes being distributed by the ladies after the knight-errantry way.
2. Conduct resembling that of a knight-errant; readiness to engage in romantic adventure. Often depreciative: Quixotic behavior.
1659Gentl. Calling (1696) 104 But to anticipate the Proposal, to go in quest of such Opportunities, looks with them like a piece of Knight-errantry. 1711Steele Spect. No. 168 ⁋5 It is a noble Piece of Knight-Errantry to enter the Lists against so many armed Pedagogues. 1831Brewster Newton (1855) II. xv. 73 The charge of knight errantry which Newton has made against Leibnitz..for challenging the English to the solution of mathematical problems. 1853Whittier Prose Wks. (1889) II. 427 That spiritual knight-errantry which undertakes the championship of every novel project of reform.
3. The body of knight-errants. rare.
1860C. Sangster Hesperus, etc. 35 He, Prince of Love's knight-errantry. 1872Tennyson Gareth & Lynette 613 That old knight-errantry Who ride abroad and do but what they will. |