Definition of: knight

(nīt) noun
1. In medieval times, a gentleman bred to the profession of arms, and admitted with special ceremonies to honorable military rank.
2. Brit. The holder of a title next below that of baronet, entitling him to use Sir before his given name.
3. A champion or devoted follower, as of a cause; any man devoted to the service of a woman, principle, etc.
4. A member of any society in which the official title of knight obtains.
5. A chessman bearing a horse's head and moving one square in any direction, then one diagonally, without regard to intervening pieces.
—v.t. To make (someone) a knight. ♦ Homophone: night. [OE cniht boy, servant]
—knight′age noun ♦ Such terms as knight banneret, knight baronet, knight companion, and Knight Templar are each two nouns in apposition. In the plural each word often takes the inflection: Knight Templars, etc.