chev·a·lier / ˌshevəˈli(ə)r/ • n. hist. a knight. ∎  a chivalrous man. ∎  a member of certain orders of knighthood or of modern French orders such as the Legion of Honor. ∎  (Chevalier) Brit., hist. the title of James and Charles Stuart, pretenders to the British throne.

chevalier historical term for a knight; a member of certain orders of knighthood or of modern French orders such as the Legion of Honour. Recorded from late Middle English (denoting a horseman or mounted knight) the word comes via Old French and medieval Latin, from Latin caballus ‘horse’.
Chevalier de St George a name given to James Francis Edward Stuart (1688–1766), father of Charles Edward Stuart, and otherwise known as the Chevalier and the Old Pretender.
Young Chevalier a name given to Charles Edward Stuart (1720–88), son of James Francis Edward Stuart, and otherwise known as the Young Pretender.

Chevalier

CHEVALIER. Many French volunteers came to America with this title, or were later awarded it, by virtue of being decorated with the Order of St. Louis. John Paul Jones was given the French Cross of the Institution of Military Merit in 1781, which entitled its holder to be addressed as "chevalier."

chevalier horseman, knight XIV; cavalier, gallant XVII. ME. chevaler — AN. chevaler, (O)F. chevalier :- medL. caballārius, f. L. caballus horse; refash. after modF. in XVI. Cf. CAVALIER.