[f. prec. + -RY.]
1. The practice of a knight-errant; the action of knights who wandered in search of adventures.
1654. Gayton, Pleas. Notes, 9. This order of Knight-errantry is very ancient; when there were but three persons in the World, one was of this order, even Cain.
1764. Reid, Inquiry, I. Ded. 95. If all belief could be laid aside, piety, friendship, &c., would appear as ridiculous as knighterrantry.
1814. Scott, Chivalry (1874), 9. They achieved deeds of valour … only recorded in the annals of knight-errantry.
1860. Adler, Fauriel’s Prov. Poetry, xv. 342. In the poetical monuments of Southern France I find the most ancient indications of knight-errantry.
attrib. 1645. Evelyn, Diary, 11 April. The prizes being distributed by the ladies after the knight-errantry way.
2. Conduct resembling that of a knight-errant; readiness to engage in romantic adventure. Often depreciative: Quixotic behavior.
1659. Gentl. Calling (1696), 104. But to anticipate the Proposal, to go in quest of such Opportunities, looks with them like a piece of Knight-errantry.
1711. Steele, Spect., No. 168, ¶ 5. It is a noble Piece of Knight-Errantry to enter the Lists against so many armed Pedagogues.
1831. Brewster, Newton (1855), II. xv. 73. The charge of knight errantry which Newton had made against Leibnitz … for challenging the English to the solution of mathematical problems.
1853. Whittier, Prose Wks. (1889), II. 427. That spiritual knight-errantry which undertakes the championship of every novel project of reform.
3. The body of knight-errants. rare.
1860. C. Sangster, Hesperus, etc. 35. He, Prince of Love’s knight-errantry.
1872. Tennyson, Gareth & Lynette, 613. That old knight-errantry Who ride abroad and do but what they will.
