what is the meaning of Knight?

In past times a knight was a mounted soldier serving under a lord.

Today,it's a non-inherited title given to a person by their sovereign in

return for services rendered to their country.

Knight is the English term for a social position originating in the Middle Ages. In the Commonwealth of Nations, knighthood is a non-heritable form of gentry. There are technically differing levels of knighthood , but in practice these are even more symbolic than the title itself today and thus only express the greatness of the recipient's achievements in the eyes of the Crown.

"The Death of Arthur" written in 1485, was important in defining the ideal of chivalry which is essential to the European ideal of the knight as an elite warrior sworn to uphold the values of faith, loyalty, courage and honor such as Knights Templar.

- The word is from Old English word "cniht" which originally meant boy, youth, or servant.

- About 900 years ago it started to a "military follower of a king or other superior". The word gradually rose in importance through Middle English period until it became a rank in the nobility in the 15th century.

- Now it is a title assigned by the queen in a ceremony called an investiture. The title is in recognition of excellence in some area.

= It's not a Latin based word so it cannot be literally translated into Spanish, French, Portuguese or Italian.

A knight was a special soldier for the monarch.Today's terms of knighthood are different.

http://www.royal.gov.uk/output/page4877.asp

says:"Knighthood became an established military guild in many European countries, and it had certain characteristics: a would-be knight would undertake strict military training from boyhood, including some time as an assistant (an esquire) to a knight with whom he rode to war.

He would also have to prove himself worthy according to rules of chivalrous behaviour, such as 'faithfulness to his Saviour and his Sovereign', generosity, self-denial, bravery and skill at arms.

In addition, he would be expected to have the financial ability to support the honour of knighthood, so that he could provide himself with arms, armour, horses and the required number of armed followers to render military service to his Sovereign for a minimum period each year.

In former times, no person could be born a knight: even monarchs and their heirs had to be made knights."

If you go to the above link,you'll get a complete picture of the knighthood,past and present.Today's knights are people who have served the monarchy well by exceeding at some service or trade:"A knighthood (or a damehood, its female equivalent) is one of the highest honours an individual in the United Kingdom can achieve.

While in past centuries knighthood used to be awarded solely for military merit, today it recognises significant contributions to national life.

Recipients today range from actors to scientists, and from school head teachers to industrialists.

A knighthood cannot be bought and it carries no military obligations to the Sovereign."

Knight is title given to someone who has achieved something great that the the nation will honour them for.

Knighthoods although traditionally given out for military achievements they are now given to people for many things from Charity work to Olympic winners.