An archaic or variant spelling of cavalier; a mounted knight, gentleman, or a man devoted to a lady.
From Spanish 'caballero' (gentleman, knight), derived from 'caballo' meaning 'horse,' which comes from Latin 'caballus.' English borrowed variations of this word including 'cavalier,' 'cavalero,' and related forms during periods of Spanish and Italian influence. Each variant reflects different phonetic and spelling preferences.
The Spanish 'caballero' literally means 'one with a horse'—which makes sense because in feudal times, owning a horse meant you had the wealth and status to be a gentleman. The word spread across European languages, getting adjusted slightly in each one, which is why we have all these similar forms.
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