GALLANT

gallant. Gallant, n. a wooer, suiter, lover attendant

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Gal″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�l wanton, wicked, OS. g�l merry, Goth. gailjan to make to rejoice, or perh. akin to E. weal. See Gala, Galloon.]] 1. 1. Showy; splendid; magnificent; gay; well-dressed.
The town is built in a very gallant place. Evelyn. Our royal, good and gallant ship. Shak. 2. 2. Noble in bearing or spirit; brave; high-spirited; courageous; heroic; magnanimous; as, a gallant youth; a gallant officer.
That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds. Shak. The gay, the wise, the gallant, and the grave. Waller. Syn. — Gallant, Courageous, Brave. 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.