Definitions
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun A spatterdash or gaiter for covering the leg when riding or walking in muddy roads.
- noun plural Boots fixed to the saddle of a horseman, instead of stirrups.
- noun The leap of a horse.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun Scotland The
leap of ahorse - noun Scotland A
prank orfrolic
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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As, under the influence of these joyous recollections, he gave his horse the spur, and made him execute a gambade, he instantly incurred the censure of his grave neighbour, who hinted to him to keep the pace, and move quietly and in order, unless he wished such notice to be taken of his eccentric movements as was likely to be very displeasing to him.
The Abbot 2008
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A more awkward situation could hardly be imagined than that of a privy councillor forced to listen to and reply to his sovereign, while each fresh gambade of his unmanageable horse placed him in a new and more precarious attitude — his violet robe flying loose in every direction, and nothing securing him from an instant and perilous fall save the depth of the saddle, and its height before and behind.
Quentin Durward 2008
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This chieftain was, as right and reason craved, the first to enter the lists, and passing the Gallery at the head of his myrmidons, kissed the hilt of his sword to the Queen, and executed at the same time a gambade, the like whereof had never been practised by two-legged hobby-horse.
Kenilworth 2004
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One only lingered, the black-browed Baron Brocas, who, making a gambade which brought him within arm-sweep of the serf, slashed him across the face with his riding-whip.
The White Company Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930 1902
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There were two cross-roads before they reached the Lymington Ford, and at each of then Sir Nigel pulled up his horse, and waited with many a curvet and gambade, craning his neck this way and that to see if fortune would send him a venture.
The White Company Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930 1902
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There were two cross-roads before they reached the Lymington Ford, and at each of then Sir Nigel pulled up his horse, and waited with many a curvet and gambade, craning his neck this way and that to see if fortune would send him a venture.
The White Company Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930 1902
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One only lingered, the black-browed Baron Brocas, who, making a gambade which brought him within arm-sweep of the serf, slashed him across the face with his riding-whip.
The White Company Doyle, Arthur Conan, Sir, 1859-1930 1902
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Brocas, who, making a gambade which brought him within arm-sweep of the serf, slashed him across the face with his riding-whip.
The White Company Arthur Conan Doyle 1894
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There were two cross-roads before they reached the Lymington Ford, and at each of then Sir Nigel pulled up his horse, and waited with many a curvet and gambade, craning his neck this way and that to see if fortune would send him a venture.
The White Company Arthur Conan Doyle 1894
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He touched his horse with the spur, gave a _gambade_ which took him across to the carriage, and then, sweeping off his hat, he bowed to his horse's neck; a salute in which he was imitated, though in a somewhat ungainly fashion, by his companion.
The Refugees Arthur Conan Doyle 1894
qms commented on the word gambade
From the usage examples it appears that the horse cavort is the most common meaning of this word but the splatterdash definition in The Century is one of those appealing preservations in amber. To celebrate the beginning of August I will honor both.
For a pleasant equestrian ramble
Select an old mare who will amble,
So safely evade
The sudden gambade
Of a filly inclined to a gambol.
In springtime provisions are made
In gear for a fine promenade:
To wade through the wash
We deploy the galosh,
Each shank tightly cased in gambade.
August 1, 2015