gallant

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noun gal·lant \gə-ˈlant, gə-ˈlänt, ˈga-lənt\

Definition of gallant

1 : a young man of fashion
2a : ladies' manb : suitorc : paramour

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Examples of gallant in a Sentence

he was quite a gallant, primping more than either of his sisters
she had a whole host of gallants vying for her hand in marriage

Origin and Etymology of gallant

Middle English galaunt, gallaunt, borrowed from Middle French, noun derivative of galant ²gallant

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First Known Use: 14th century

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gallant

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adjective gal·lant \ˈga-lənt (usually in sense 2); gə-ˈlant, gə-ˈlänt (usually in sense 3)\

Definition of gallant

1 : showy in dress or bearing : smart
2a : splendid, stately a gallant shipb : spirited, brave gallant efforts against the enemyc : nobly chivalrous and often self-sacrificing
3 : courteously and elaborately attentive especially to ladies

gallantly

adverb

See gallant defined for English-language learners

Examples of gallant in a Sentence

The defenders of the fort made a gallant stand.
They failed to reach the summit, but they made a gallant attempt.
He greeted her with a gallant bow.
He offered her his seat in a gallant gesture.

Did You Know?

In the late 14th century, Middle English adopted "galaunt" (now spelled "gallant") from Middle French galant, a participial form of the verb galer, meaning "to have a good time." This origin is more apparent in the earliest uses of the English "gallant," both as a noun meaning "a man of fashion" and as an adjective meaning "marked by show, color, smartness, or splendor especially in dress." French galer is related to "gale" ("pleasure, merrymaking") which has also entered the language, by way of Italian, as "gala" ("a festive celebration"). Middle English also had a noun "gale" which meant "singing, merriment, or mirth" (and is unrelated to the "gale" used to indicate a strong current of air) which may also have been related to Old French gale.

Origin and Etymology of gallant

Middle English galaunt, borrowed from Middle French galant, from present participle of galer “to squander in pleasures, have a good time, enjoy oneself,” going back to Old French, going back to Gallo-Romance *walāre, derivative of Old Low Franconian *wala “well, with good appearance or effect,” going back to Germanic *welō — more at ³well

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First Known Use: 15th century

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Synonym Discussion of gallant

civil, polite, courteous, gallant, chivalrous mean observant of the forms required by good breeding. civil often suggests little more than the avoidance of overt rudeness. owed the questioner a civil reply polite commonly implies polish of speech and manners and sometimes suggests an absence of cordiality. if you can't be pleasant, at least be polite courteous implies more actively considerate or dignified politeness. clerks who were unfailingly courteous to customers gallant and chivalrous imply courteous attentiveness especially to women. gallant suggests spirited and dashing behavior and ornate expressions of courtesy. a gallant suitor of the old school chivalrous suggests high-minded and self-sacrificing behavior. a chivalrous display of duty

gallant

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verb gal·lant \gə-ˈlant, -ˈlänt\

Definition of gallant

transitive verb
1 : to pay court to (a lady) : attend used to gallant her in his youth — Washington Irving
2 obsolete : to manipulate (a fan) in a modish manner
intransitive verb
: to pay court to ladies

Origin and Etymology of gallant

derivative of ²gallant

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First Known Use: 1672

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Gallant

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biographical name Gal·lant \ga-ˈlant\

Definition of Gallant

Mavis 1922–2014 originally Mavis de Trafford Young Canadian-French writer

GALLANT Defined for English Language Learners

gallant

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adjective

Definition of gallant for English Language Learners

: showing courage : very brave
: large and impressive
: having or showing politeness and respect for women

GALLANT Defined for Kids

gallant

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adjective gal·lant \ˈga-lənt\

Definition of gallant for Students

1 : showing courage : very brave a gallant soldier
2 : chivalrous 2 a gallant knight
3 \gə-ˈlant, -ˈlänt\ : very polite to women He offered her his seat in a gallant gesture.
4 : splendid or stately a gallant ship
5 : showy in dress or in the way of acting He was a gallant figure in his uniform.