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gala

 - 3 dictionary results

ga⋅la

  [gey-luh, gal-uh; especially Brit. gah-luh]
Use gala in a Sentence
–adjective
1. festive; festal; showy: Her birthday parties were always gala occasions.
–noun
2. a festive occasion; celebration; special entertainment: a gala featuring opera stars in their most famous scenes.
3. festal pomp or dress.
Origin:
1615–25; < F < It < OF; see gallant
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To gala
ga·la   (gā'lə, gāl'ə, gä'lə)   
n.  

  1. A festive occasion, especially a lavish social event or entertainment.

  2. Chiefly British An athletic competition, especially a swimming contest.

adj.  

  1. Marked by lavish or festive celebration: a gala ball after the inaugural ceremony.

  2. Characterized by sumptuous social pleasure: the gala life of the very rich.


[Italian and French, both ultimately from Old French gale, rejoicing, from galer, to make merry; see gallant.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

gala 
1625, "festive dress or attire," from Fr. en gala, from It. gala (as in phrase vestido de gala "robe of state"), perhaps from Arabic khil'a "fine garment given as a presentation." Sense of "festive occasion" (characterized by display of finery) first recorded 1777.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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