[f. CAVALIER sb. + -ISM.] The practice or principles of cavaliers, esp. of the adherents of Charles I.; an expression characteristic of the Cavalier party.
1642. Bridge, Serm. Norfolk Volunteers, 6. There is a vaunting, bragging, boasting Cavalierisme, which hath no true courage; such a Cavalier was Rabshakeh.
1643. Herle, Answ. Ferne, 4. Both Houses of Parliament are cal’d … Rebels and Traytors (the ordinary cavaleerismes of the times).
1818. Scott, Hrt. Midl., viii. When wine and cavalierism predominated in his upper story.
1791–1824. D’Israeli, Cur. Lit. (1866), 287/2. Various kinds of ranting cavalierism.
