† ˈknighthed, -hede Obs.
Also kniht-, kniȝt-, etc. (see knight n.); 4 -ed(e, 5–6 Sc. -heid.
[f. knight n. + -head. Cf. next.]
1. The rank of a knight: = knighthood 2.
| c 1325 Metr. Hom. 139 A kniht That thoru kind was bond and thralle Bot knihthed gat he wit catelle. c 1475 Rauf Coilȝear 960 Schir Rauf gat rewaird to keip his Knichtheid. 1500–20 Dunbar Turnament 56 To comfort him, or he raid forder, The Devill off knychtheid gaif him order. |
2. The vocation of a knight: = knighthood 3.
| c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xvi. (Magdalene) 70 To k[n]ychthed hyre bruþir lazare Halely hyme gafe, & lytil rocht Of landis. 1490 Caxton Eneydos lvi. 153 He hadde lefte his offyce and hadde taken hym self to the fayttes of knygthed. c 1500 Lancelot 822 He goith ymong them in his hie curage, As he that had of knyghthed the wsage. |
3. Knightly character or accomplishments: = knighthood 4.
| a 1300 Cursor M. 8422 To be lered him-self to lede, Wit clerge bath and wit knighthede. c 1400 Destr. Troy 5549 Of knighthede to count þere was the clene floure. 1450–70 Golagros & Gaw. 376 Thai war courtes and couth thair knyghthed to kyth. 1513 Douglas æneis vi. vi. 39 Eneas, ful of piete and knychtheid. 1535 Stewart Cron. Scot. I. 575 Suppois he was of all knychteid the floure. |
4. A body of knights, or (= L. mīlitia) of fighting men: = knighthood 5.
| c 1375 Sc. Leg. Saints xxix. (Placidas) 68 A knycht callit placydas Prynce of his knychted was. 1382 Wyclif Jer. viii. 1 The sunne, and the moone and al the knyȝthed [1388 knyȝthod, L militia] of heuene. |