Cavalier \Cav`a*lier"\, a. Gay; easy; offhand; frank.

The plodding, persevering scupulous accuracy of the one, and the easy, cavalier, verbal fluency of the other, form a complete contrast. --Hazlitt.

2. High-spirited. [Obs.]

``The people are naturally not valiant, and not much cavalier.'' --Suckling.

3. Supercilious; haughty; disdainful; curt; brusque.

4. Of or pertaining to the party of King Charles I. ``An old Cavalier family.'' --Beaconsfield.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Cavalier \Cav`a*lier"\ (k[a^]v`[.a]*l[=e]r"), n. [F. cavalier, It. cavaliere, LL. caballarius, fr. L. caballus. See Cavalcade, and cf. Chevalier, Caballine.]

1. A military man serving on horseback; a knight.

2. A gay, sprightly, military man; hence, a gallant.

3. One of the court party in the time of king Charles I. as contrasted with a Roundhead or an adherent of Parliament. --Clarendon.

4. (Fort.) A work of more than ordinary height, rising from the level ground of a bastion, etc., and overlooking surrounding parts.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)