French word

cavalerie

Pronunciation

IPA/kavaləʁi/

Meaning

  • feminine nouncavalry

Example

La cavalerie a traversé le champ.

The cavalry crossed the field.

Illustration for cavalerie (cavalry)

More examples

Si besoin, on fera appel à la cavalerie.

If necessary, we'll call in the cavalry.

Core concept

Mounted troops forming a mobile military unit across a battlefield.

Common phrases

  • faire appel à la cavalerie

    call in the cavalry

Similar words

troupe: A group of soldiers serving together in combat or on assigned duties.
corps: A major army formation consisting of several divisions.
unité: A group of military personnel organized for a particular task.

Definition in French

Corps militaire composé de soldats montés à cheval, employé pour la reconnaissance, la charge ou le soutien des troupes.

Word origin

The French noun developed from Medieval Latin caballaria, built on caballus for horse, and it belongs to the same word family as French cheval.

Usage tips

  • Cavalerie refers to mounted troops, whereas chevalerie refers to chivalry or the medieval knightly class.

Opposites

  • infanterieinfantrynoun

Related words

Word lists with this word