#middle french

Noun

[ pir-oo-et]

1. a whirling about on one foot or on the points of the toes, as in ballet dancing.

2.Dressage. a complete turn in which the horse uses its hind legs as a pivot.

Verb (used without object),pir·ou·et·ted, pir·ou·et·ting.

to perform a pirouette; whirl, as on the toes.

Origin:
1700–10; <French: a whirl, top, feminine of Middle French pirouet, equivalent to pirou-(cognate with Italian pirolo, diminutive of piropeg) + -et-et

“Jessie suddenly hopped down from the chair arm and began a pirouette about the room, clapping her hands as she danced.”
- MARGARET PENROSE, THE CAMPFIRE GIRLS OF ROSELAWN

Noun

[ kav-uh-leer,kav-uh-leer ]

1. a horseman, especially a mounted soldier; knight.

2. one having the spirit or bearing of a knight; a courtly gentleman; gallant.

3. a man escorting a woman or acting as her partner in dancing.

4.(initial capital letter) an adherent of Charles I of England in his contest with Parliament.

Adjective

5. haughty, disdainful, or supercilious:
    an arrogant and cavalier attitude toward others.

6. offhand or unceremonious:
    The very dignified officials were confused by his cavalier manner.

7.(initial capital letter) of or relating to the Cavaliers.

8.(initial capital letter) of, relating to, or characteristic of the Cavalier poets or their work.

Verb (used without object)

9. to play the cavalier.

10. to be haughty or domineering.

Origin:
First recorded in 1590–1600; from Middle French: “horseman, knight,” from Old Italian cavaliere, from Old Provençal, from Late Latin caballārius “man on horseback,” equivalent to Latin caball(us) “horse” (cf. capercaillie) + -ārius -ary

“She gave him a cavalier little nod, touched her horse with the whip, and a moment later was lost in a cloud of dust.”
- Gemma Arterton, Ancestors