Dictionaries of the Scots Language
Dictionars o the Scots Leid

A Dictionary of the Older Scottish Tongue (up to 1700)

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First published 1937 (DOST Vol. I).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.

Chevalrous, a. Also: cheu-, chevalrus(e, -rouse, chewalrous, cheuailrus; chevelrous, -rus, chevilrous; chivelrous, chyvalrus. [ME. cheval-, chevelrous (14th c.), chyvalrous, etc., OF. chevalerous.]

1. Having the character of a chevalier or knight; bold, hardy, adventurous. 1375 Barb. xi. 167.
Thai war so cheuelrus [E. chewalrous], that thai Trowit … Thair suld no strynth with-stand thar mycht Ib. xiv. 30. c1450-2 Howlat 327.
Gois halkis war … Chosin chiftanis, chevalrus in charge of weris a1500 Gol. & Gaw. 230.
Thus iournait gentilly thyr cheualrouse knichtis Ib. 391.
Sir Gawyne … Joly and gentill, and full cheuailrus c1515 Asl. MS. I. 309/8.
Of Iaphet our progenitour come chevalrus men c1500-c1512 Dunb. viii. 19.
The prince of knychtheid, nobill and chevilrous 1535 Stewart 17704.
He wes so cheualrus, … That all thair feid micht do to him na deir 15.. Clar. i. 542.
Most nobill knicht and chyvalrus Ib. v. 858.
He him knew both worthie and chevelrus

2. Belonging to, or befitting, a knight. 1375 Barb. ix. 536.
Throu his cheuelrous [E. chewalrous] cheuelry Gallovay wes stonayit gretumly c1450-2 Howlat 538.
Throw full chevalrus chance he this hert chevit c1475 Wall. viii. 98.
The stour … Contenyt lang with dedis chewalrous a1500 Rauf C. 840.
He kest vp his veseir With ane cheualrous cheir 1513 Doug. ii. iv. 77.
O worthy Troiane wallis chevalrus 15.. Clar. i. 789.
He hes … the maist chyvalrus curage

3. As adv. In knightly fashion. c1450-2 Howlat 605.
Thir four scheldis … War chenȝeit so cheualrus [B. chivelrous], that no creatur … mycht lous worth a lence