noun

1. an armed horseman; knight
2. a gallant or courteous gentleman, esp. one serving as a lady's escort
3. a partisan of Charles I of England in his struggles with Parliament (1641-49); Royalist

Etymology: Fr < It cavaliere < LL caballarius < L caballus, horse; akin to Gr kaballēs; prob. < native name in Asia Minor

adjective

1. 1. of the Cavaliers
   2. associated with the court of Charles I of England Cavalier poets
2. 1. free and easy
   2. casual or indifferent toward matters of some importance
   3. haughty; arrogant; supercilious