I. gə-ˈlant, gə-ˈlänt, ˈga-lənt noun
Date: 14th century
1. : a young man of fashion
2.
a. : ladies' man
b. : suitor
c. : paramour
II. ˈga-lənt (usu in sense 2); gə-ˈlant, gə-ˈlänt (usu in sense 3) adjective
Etymology: 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
Date: 15th century
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
Synonyms: see civil
• gal·lant·ly adverb
III. gə-ˈlant, -ˈlänt verb
Date: 1672
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