Cavalier

Cavalier is a term with multiple related meanings rooted in the idea of a mounted knight. It derives from the French chevalier, meaning a horseman or knight. In English, cavalier originally described a mounted warrior and over time came to signify a gallant, stylish, or courteous man. As an adjective, cavalier can also imply a carefree, dismissive, or nonchalant attitude, sometimes with a sense of swagger.

Historically, the word became a political designation during the English Civil War (1642–1651). The Cavaliers were the Royalist supporters of King Charles I and later Charles II, opposing the Parliamentarians, or Roundheads. The term continued to be used to describe those aligned with the monarchy and their symbols, and it lingered in culture after the Restoration of 1660, shaping literature, fashion, and social self-designation.

In literature and art, Cavalier can refer to the Cavalier poets, a group associated with the royal court of Charles I and II. They favored witty, urbane verse and themes of love, honor, and carpe diem. In architecture and interior design of the early Stuart period, a related “Cavalier style” is noted for ornamentation and a contrast to Puritan austerity, reflecting royalist tastes.

In modern usage, cavalier can describe a chivalrous or gallant man, or, more commonly, a carefree or nonchalant outlook. The term also appears in names and breeds, such as the Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, a small dog breed linked to the court of Charles II. The plural Cavaliers appears in references to sports teams, notably the Cleveland Cavaliers of the NBA.