- Gallant
- Gallant Gal"lant (g[a^]l"lant), a. [F. gallant, prop. p. pr.
of OF. galer to rejoice, akin to OF. gale amusement, It. gala
ornament; of German origin; cf. OHG. geil merry, luxuriant,
wanton, G. geil lascivious, akin to AS. g[=a]l wanton,
wicked, OS. g[=e]l merry, Goth. gailjan to make to rejoice,
or perh. akin to E. weal. See {Gala}, {Galloon}.]
[1913 Webster]
1. Showy; splendid; magnificent; gay; well-dressed.
[1913 Webster]
The town is built in a very gallant place. --Evelyn. [1913 Webster]
Our royal, good and gallant ship. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
2. Noble in bearing or spirit; brave; high-spirited; courageous; heroic; magnanimous; as, a gallant youth; a gallant officer. [1913 Webster]
That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds. --Shak. [1913 Webster]
The gay, the wise, the gallant, and the grave. --Waller.
Syn: {Gallant}, {Courageous}, {Brave}.
Usage: Courageous is generic, denoting an inward spirit which rises above fear; brave is more outward, marking a spirit which braves or defies danger; gallant rises still higher, denoting bravery on extraordinary occasions in a spirit of adventure. A courageous man is ready for battle; a brave man courts it; a gallant man dashes into the midst of the conflict. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.