yeomanry

n. 1. The position or rank of a yeoman. [ Obs. ] “His estate of yeomanry.” Chaucer. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. The collective body of yeomen, or freeholders. [ 1913 Webster ]

The enfranchised yeomanry began to feel an instinct for dominion. Bancroft. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. A British volunteer cavalry force, growing out of a royal regiment of fox hunters raised by Yorkshire gentlemen in 1745 to fight the Pretender, Charles Edward; -- calle dalso yeomanry cavalry. The members furnish their own horses, have fourteen days' annual camp training, and receive pay and allowance when on duty. In 1901 the name was altered to imperial yeomanry in recognition of the services of the force in the Boer war. See Army organization, above. [ Webster 1913 Suppl. ]

Yeomanry cavalry, certain bodies of volunteer cavalry liable to service in Great Britain only. [ Eng. ] [ 1913 Webster ]