/ ˈgæləntri; NAmE / noun [ U ] ( formal )
1.
courage, especially in a battle :
a medal for gallantry
2.
polite attention given by men to women
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WORD ORIGIN
late 16th cent. (in the sense splendour, ornamentation ): from French galanterie , from galant , from galer have fun, make a show, from gale pleasure, rejoicing.