Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
noun
- the rank or dignity of a knight: to confer knighthood upon him.
- the profession or vocation of a knight.
- knightly character or qualities.
- the body of knights.
noun
- the order, dignity, or rank of a knight
- the qualities of a knight; knightliness
- knights collectively
Old English cnihthad “the period between childhood and manhood;” see knight (n.) + -hood. Sense of “rank or dignity of a knight” is from c.1300, and probably is an independent formation.