cavalry Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun troops trained to fight on horseback
    horse; horse cavalry.
    • 500 horse led the attack
  2. noun a highly mobile army unit

WordNet

Cav"al*ry noun
Etymology
F. cavalerie, fr. It. cavalleria. See Cavalier, and cf. chivalry.
Definitions
  1. (Mil.) That part of military force which serves on horseback. ✍ Heavy cavalry and light cavalry are so distinguished by the character of their armament, and by the size of the men and horses.

Webster 1913