The Collaborative International Dictionary
Chevalier \Che`va*lier"\, n. [F., fr. LL. caballarius. See Cavaller.]
A horseman; a knight; a gallant young man. ``Mount, chevaliers; to arms.''
--Shak.-
A member of certain orders of knighthood.
Chevalier d'industrie[F.], one who lives by persevering fraud; a pickpocket; a sharper.
The Chevalier St. George (Eng. Hist.), James Francis Edward Stuart (son of James II.), called ``The Pretender.''
The Young Chevalier, Charles Edward Stuart, son of the Chevalier St. George. [1913 Webster] ||
Wiktionary
n. (context dated English) One who lives by fraud; a pickpocket; a sharper.
Usage examples of "chevalier d'industrie".
Carney, being a Chevalier d'Industrie, had a keen nose for oblique enterprises, but up to the present he had enjoyed the little man's chatter simply because he loved horses himself.