Definition of Errant

(n.)
One who wanders about.
  

(a.)
Wandering; deviating from an appointed course, or from a direct path; roving.
  

(a.)
Notorious; notoriously bad; downright; arrant.
  

(a.)
Journeying; itinerant; -- formerly applied to judges who went on circuit and to bailiffs at large.
  

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errant
\er"rant\, n. one who wanders about. [obs.]
errant
\er"rant\ (?), a. [f. errant, p. pr. fr. of. errer to travel, ll. iterare, fr. l. iter journey; confused somewhat with l. errare to err. see eyre, and cf. arrant, itinerant.]
1. wandering; deviating from an appointed course, or from a direct path; roving. seven planets or errant stars in the lower orbs of heaven. t. browne.
2. notorious; notoriously bad; downright; arrant. would make me an errant fool. jonson.
3. (eng. law) journeying; itinerant; -- formerly applied to judges who went on circuit and to bailiffs at large.

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  similar words(2) 

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 knights-errant 
 knight-errant 

Roving or wandering, as in search of adventure or opportunity for gallant deeds.

      ranter

1. Capable of making an error,fallible,error-prone
2.straying outside the proper bounds
3.moving about irregularly
4.deviating from truth or decorum

usage note:Do not confuse "errant" with errand.compare errand.

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Adjective
1. straying from the right course or from accepted standards; "errant youngsters"
(similar) fallible
2. uncontrolled motion that is irregular or unpredictable; "an errant breeze"
(similar) uncontrolled

A knight , usually a bachelier , who departs to seek adventure and thus earn renown and possibly riches so that he might settle, marry, and earn his living. In history most errants would pursue wars or tournaments as the chief methods by which they might earn renown; in the romances such knights would battle incredible beasts, rescue ladies, and defend princes and kings , who would often return their service with largesse , bestowing upon them lands and titles. The most celebrated historical errant would have to be William Marshal, who went from being a minor son with little inheritance to Earl of Pembroke. In legend there were many famous errants, including Tristan, Yvain, Lancelot; most of the famous Arthurian knights sought fame through errancy at one point or other.
Within the Company of Saint George , the errant is an applicant to the company who is charged by the company to bring renown to themselves, the company, their consorts and their kingdom by great acts of chivalry .

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