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gallant

gallant

11 6.8
Giving polite attention and respect to women, often by a man
  • adjective
  • /ˈɡæl.ənt/
translation icon : galante
  • He was a gallant gentleman, always holding the door open for women.
  • a gallant gentleman
  • a gallant man
  • a gallant gesture

Examples

  • "You are very gallant," she replied.

    Fiction book (1999)
  • "That's most gallant of you," I said, with absolute sincerity.

    Fiction book (1991)
  • You are a gallant man.

  • - He was very gallant.

  • You had a very pleasant time at court with those gallant young officers.

  • "So you are awake now, my gallant knight."

    Fiction book (1994)
  • How gallant of you to stand up for the wronged lady.

    Fiction book (1990)
  • A gallant lady!

  • Despite his country upbringing, the handsome Lockwood is gallant and attentive.

    Blog text (4)
  • From his looming height, he glanced sidelong at me, holding the umbrella over me at a gallant distance.

    Fiction book (1997)

Synonyms

gentlemanly
vsgallant
17 4.4

Polite and considerate in a calm, respectful way

gives special courtly attention and respect to women
chivalrous
vsgallant
15 7.5

Showing polite, protective, and brave behavior like a knight

focuses on courtly attention and respect directed at women
chivalric
vsgallant
  • Literature
1 9.9

Having the courage, honour, and manners of knights in the Middle Ages

is used for polite, courtly attention to women rather than historical ideals
knightly
vsgallant
1 7.7

Showing polite, brave, and honorable behavior toward others

is specifically about courteous, woman-focused courtly attention
gentlemanlike
vsgallant
7.9

Showing polite and respectful manners and appearance

gives courtly attention specifically to women

Antonyms

594 1.0

Not polite or showing little respect for others

121 3.0

Not polite to someone, for example interrupting them

Compounds

top-gallant yard
  • Specialized
9.9

A long horizontal pole high on a sailing ship that holds the topgallant sail

How Courteous

courtly
  • Literature
6 7.2
gallant
11 6.8
polite
329 1.0
attentive
61 3.0

Surface Forms

gallant positive
gallanter comparative
gallantest superlative

Etymology

Gallant comes from the old French galant, used for a courtly man who paid special attention to ladies with polite acts like bowing or opening doors. So gallant can mean 'courteous and polite to women' in a chivalrous, old-fashioned way.