Words / B1

NYT/naɪt/

A knight is a man given the title Sir by the monarch, or a medieval soldier. Dame is the female honour. Knighthood is the honour itself. Do not mix with night (dark hours) or with kneel (already in the dictionary). Honours lists: made a knight for services to the NHS.

Meaning

A man given the title Sir by the monarch for public service; also a medieval soldier.

Examples

• “He was made a knight for services to the NHS.”
• “History papers asked how a medieval knight was armed, which is the older sense.”

Good to know

made a knight; Sir + name. Female honour: dame. Mix-up: night. Honours lists / history exams. Verb: knight someone (rarer in B1).

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