A nobleman or knight in Italy during the Renaissance, or a man who behaves with courtly manners and chivalry.
From Italian 'cavaliere,' derived from Latin 'caballarius' meaning 'horseman,' from 'caballus' (horse). The term evolved to mean a mounted warrior and later a gentleman of noble rank.
The word 'cavalier' (English form) comes from the same root, and both originally meant someone important enough to ride a horse—when most people walked, that really meant something! The Italian version carries more formality and elegance than its English cousin.
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