learning-knight

English

Alternative forms

• learningknight, learning knight

Etymology

Likely a revival of either Middle English lerning-knight or its antecedent Old English leornungcniht.

Noun

learning-knight (plural learning-knights)

1. (rare, historical or archaic) One disciplined and devoted to learning; a student or disciple.
   • 1766, Bulstrode Whitlocke, Whitelockes Notes Uppon The Kings Writt For Choosing Members of Parlement:

     Thence Christ's difciples are termed, in the Saxon evangelists, Christ's learning knights.

   • 1841, Edward Churton, The Early English Church, page 261:

     Christ himself first spake the Lord's prayer, and taught it to his learning-knights (the apostles).

   • 1881, A translation of the Anglo-Saxon version of St. Mark's Gospel, page 47:

     Again in those days there was with him a great crowd, and they had nothing to eat, then saith he, his learning-knights being called together, I pity this crowd for that they abide with me three days and have nothing to eat.

   • 1922, James Joyce, Ulysses:

     And there came against the place as they stood a young learningknight yclept Dixon.