gallant Hear it!

gallant definition

gal·lant (gal′ənt; for adj.4 & n. usually, and for v. always, gə lant′, -länt′)

adjective

  1. showy and lively in dress or manner
  2. stately; imposing a gallant ship
  3. brave and noble; high-spirited and daring
    1. polite and attentive to women in a courtly way
    2. having to do with love; amorous

Etymology: ME galaunt < OFr galant, merry, brave, prp. of galer, to rejoice, make merry < gala: see gala

noun

  1. Now Rare a high-spirited, stylish man
  2. a man attentive and polite to women
  3. a lover or paramour

transitive verb

  1. Now Rare to court (a woman)
  2. to escort or accompany (a woman)

intransitive verb

Now Rare to court a woman

Related Forms:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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