knight of the shire

noun

plural knights of the shire

1

: a knight selected by the freeholders to represent a shire in the House of Commons especially in medieval times

the knight of the shire was the connecting link between the baron and the shopkeeper

—T. B. Macaulay

2

: a parliamentary representative from a shire or county as distinguished from a representative of a city or a borough

the number of knights of the shire was increased to 159

—T. E. May

Word History

Etymology

Middle English

The Ultimate Dictionary Awaits

Expand your vocabulary and dive deeper into language with Merriam-Webster Unabridged.

1. Expanded definitions
2. Detailed etymologies
3. Advanced search tools
4. All ad-free

Discover what makes Merriam-Webster Unabridged the essential choice for true word lovers.

Start Your Free Trial Now