Nearby Words
gallant
[adj. gal-uhnt for 1, 3, 4; guh-lant, -lahnt, gal-uhnt for 2, 5; n. guh-lant, -lahnt, gal-uhnt; v. guh-lant, -lahnt]
Example Sentences
Origin
gal·lant
[adj. gal-uhnt for 1, 3, 4; guh-lant, -lahnt, gal-uhnt for 2, 5; n. guh-lant, -lahnt, gal-uhnt; v. guh-lant, -lahnt] adjective
1.
brave, spirited, noble-minded, or chivalrous: a gallant knight; a gallant rescue attempt.
2.
exceptionally polite and attentive to women; courtly.
3.
stately; grand: a gallant pageant.
4.
showy, colorful, or stylish, as in dress; magnificent.
5.
amorous; amatory.
noun
6.
a brave, noble-minded, or chivalrous man.
7.
a man exceptionally attentive to women.
8.
a stylish and dashing man.
9.
a suitor or lover.
10.
a paramour.
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Gallant
is one of our favorite verbs.
So is fletcherise. Does it mean:
| to chew (food) slowly and thoroughly. |
| to swindle, cheat, hoodwink, or hoax. |
verb (used with object)
11.
to court or act as a lover of (a woman).
12.
to escort (a woman).
verb (used without object)
13.
to attend or pay court as a gallant.
Origin:
1350–1400; Middle English gala(u)nt < Old French galant, present participle of galer to amuse oneself, make merry < Gallo-Romance *walāre, derivative of Frankish *wala good, happy; see well1, weal1
1350–1400; Middle English gala(u)nt < Old French galant, present participle of galer to amuse oneself, make merry < Gallo-Romance *walāre, derivative of Frankish *wala good, happy; see well1, weal1
Related forms
gal·lant·ly, adverb
gal·lant·ness, noun
qua·si-gal·lant, adjective
qua·si-gal·lant·ly, adverb
su·per·gal·lant, adjective
EXPANDsu·per·gal·lant·ly, adverb
su·per·gal·lant·ness, noun
un·gal·lant, adjective
un·gal·lant·ly, adverb
COLLAPSESynonyms
1. valorous, courageous, heroic, bold, daring, intrepid. See brave. 2. chivalrous, courteous.
1. valorous, courageous, heroic, bold, daring, intrepid. See brave. 2. chivalrous, courteous.
Example Sentences
- In a country where even genetically modified food is not labelled, this was a gallant idea.
- And he has bound a snow-white plume upon his gallant crest.
- But this explanation was felt to be neither convincing nor gallant.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
Cite This Source
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Link To gallant
Collins
World English Dictionary
| gallant | |
| —adj | |
| 1. | brave and high-spirited; courageous and honourable; dashing: a gallant warrior |
| 2. | (of a man) attentive to women; chivalrous |
| 3. | imposing; dignified; stately: a gallant ship |
| 4. | archaic showy in dress |
| —n | |
| 5. | a woman's lover or suitor |
| 6. | a dashing or fashionable young man, esp one who pursues women |
| 7. | a brave, high-spirited, or adventurous man |
| —vb (when intr, | |
| 8. | to court or flirt (with) |
| 9. | (tr) to attend or escort (a woman) |
| [C15: from Old French galant, from galer to make merry, from gale enjoyment, pleasure, of Germanic origin; related to Old English wela | |
| 'gallantly | |
| —adv | |
| 'gallantness | |
| —n | |
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
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2009 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009
Cite This Source
Etymonline
Word Origin & History
gallant
early 15c., from O.Fr. galant "courteous," earlier "spirited, dashing," prp. of galer "make merry," from gala (q.v.). Sense of "politely attentive to women" was adopted 17c. from French. The noun, "man of fashion and pleasure," is from late 14c.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
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