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. gāl wanton, wicked, OS. gēl 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. 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 ] | 
