ritter

noun

rit·ter

ˈritə(r)

plural ritter or ritters

: knight

specifically : a member of one of the lowest orders of German or Austrian nobility

Word History

Etymology

German, from Middle High German riter, from Middle Dutch riddere, ridder horseman, knight, probably alteration (influenced by an assumed noun akin to Old English ridda horseman, from the stem of rīdan to ride) of ridere, rider, from riden to ride + -ere, -er -er; akin to Old English rīdan to ride