rhizoverbBeta
DictionarycavalryMounted or armored troops
noun

cavalry

KAV-ul-ree/ˈkævlri/

Military forces fighting from horses or armored vehicles.

The mounted cavalry advances together with drawn sabers held upright.

Three nineteenth-century French mounted cavalry soldiers advance together with drawn sabers, visibly presenting an armed mounted unit rather than recreational riders.
Etymology
cavalryItalianmounted militia

The “mounted militia” were horse soldiers. The name preserves that horseback role even when applied to troops fighting from vehicles.

In context

History Scope8:14
The Chinese didn’t have horse archers of their own. Meaning that their cavalry and foot soldiers could never fight back.
The Rise and Fall of the Mongol Empire

More examples

  • The commander sends armored cavalry ahead of the infantry.
  • The cavalry unit scouts the valley.
  • When extra volunteers arrive, we cheer that the cavalry is here.

Similar words

infantry
Soldiers fighting primarily on foot.
reinforcements
Additional forces or help without specifying cavalry.