Dictionary

1gallant

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

Definition of GALLANT

1
:  a young man of fashion
2
a :  ladies' man
b :  suitor
c :  paramour
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First Known Use of GALLANT

14th century

Rhymes with GALLANT

2gallant

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

: showing courage : very brave

: large and impressive

: having or showing politeness and respect for women

Full Definition of GALLANT

1
:  showy in dress or bearing :  smart
2
a :  splendid, stately <a gallant ship>
b :  spirited, brave <gallant efforts against the enemy>
c :  nobly chivalrous and often self-sacrificing
3
:  courteously and elaborately attentive especially to ladies
gal·lant·ly adverb

Origin of GALLANT

Middle English galaunt, from Middle French galant, from present participle of galer to have a good time, from Old French, from gale pleasure, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English wela weal — more at weal
First Known Use: 15th century

Related to GALLANT

Synonyms
bold, courageous, dauntless, doughty, fearless, brave, greathearted, gutsy, gutty, heroic (also heroical), intrepid, lionhearted, manful, stalwart, stout, stouthearted, undauntable, undaunted, valiant, valorous
Antonyms
chicken, chickenhearted, chicken-livered, coward, cowardly, craven, dastardly, fainthearted, fearful, gutless, lily-livered, milk-livered [archaic], nerveless, poltroon, poor-spirited, pusillanimous, spineless, spiritless, timorous, uncourageous, ungallant, unheroic, weakhearted, yellow

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>.

3gallant

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

First Known Use of GALLANT

1672

Gallant

biographical name Gal·lant \ga-ˈlant\

Definition of GALLANT

Mavis 1922– originally Mavis de Trafford Young Canad.-Fr. writer
GALLANT Defined for Kids

gallant

adjective gal·lant \ˈga-lənt\

Definition of GALLANT for Kids

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.>
gal·lant·ly adverb

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