Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- noun Nobility of spirit or action; courage.
- noun Chivalrous attention toward women; courtliness.
- noun The act or an instance of gallant speech or behavior.
- noun Archaic A bold or stylish appearance.
from The Century Dictionary.
- noun 1. Fine appearance; show; finery; splendor; magnificence.
- noun Heroic bearing; bravery; intrepidity; high spirit: as, the gallantry of the troops under fire was admirable.
- noun Courtliness or polite attention to ladies.
- noun In a sinister sense, equivocal attention to women; profligate intrigue.
- noun Gallants collectively.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- noun Archaic Splendor of appearance; ostentatious finery.
- noun Bravery; intrepidity.
- noun Civility or polite attention to ladies; in a bad sense, attention or courtesy designed to win criminal favors from a female; freedom of principle or practice with respect to female virtue; intrigue.
- noun rare Gallant persons, collectively.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun
courage - noun
chivalrous courtliness , especially towardswomen - noun an instance of
gallant behaviour or speech
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- noun courtesy towards women
- noun the qualities of a hero or heroine; exceptional or heroic courage when facing danger (especially in battle)
- noun polite attentiveness to women
Etymologies
Sorry, no etymologies found.
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Examples
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What a dreadful dreadful place this great world of yours is, Arthur; where husbands do not seem to care for their wives; where mothers do not love their children; where children love their nurses best; where men talk what they call gallantry!
The Newcomes 2006
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Besides, he began to find himself a mere novice in French gallantry, which is supported by an amazing volubility of tongue, and obsequious and incredible attention to trifles, a surprising faculty of laughing out of pure complaisance, and a nothingness of conversation which he could never attain.
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She came up to me, though, with a sweet, sad expression in her face and a trusting look in her eyes that made my heart bound, as she laid her hands in mine and thanked me for what she called my gallantry; and I was so taken up by her words that I hardly noticed the scowl
The Golden Magnet George Manville Fenn 1870
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What a dreadful dreadful place this great world of yours is, Arthur; where husbands do not seem to care for their wives; where mothers do not love their children; where children love their nurses best; where men talk what they call gallantry!
The Newcomes William Makepeace Thackeray 1837
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To borrow Emma's prophetic statement, "[Frank's] gallantry is really unanswerable" (III. vii, 333), and in the aftermath of Box Hill no account surfaces that can explain fully his motives or his part in the flirtation.
Unanswerable Gallantry and Thick-Headed Nonsense: Rereading Box Hill 2000
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Their tradition of gallantry is typical of the Canadian Forces with their battle honours, with their thousands of dead in two world wars, and their countless awards for bravery.
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Beginning with the year 1730 it is brought down to 1894, and it is designed to demonstrate the existence at the present day of "adoptive lodges" wherein French gallantry once provided an inexpensive substitute for Masonry in which ladies had the privilege of participating.
Devil-Worship in France or The Question of Lucifer Arthur Edward Waite 1899
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If I were your enemy, I could not use you ill when I saw Fortune do it too, and in gallantry and good nature both, I should think myself rather obliged to protect you from her injuries (if it lay in my power) than double them upon you.
Letters from Dorothy Osborne to Sir William Temple (1652-54) 1888
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Indeed my fair one does not verbally declare in my favor; but then, according to the vulgar proverb, that actions speak louder than words, I have no reason to complain; since she evidently approves my gallantry, is pleased with my company, and listens to my flattery.
The Coquette, or, The History of Eliza Wharton: A Novel Founded on Fact 1797
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But how strange, that a man of so abandoned a character should be the choice of a sister of Lord Orville! and how strange, that, almost at the moment of the union, he should be so importunate in gallantry to another woman!
Evelina: or, The History of a Young Lady's Entrance Into the World 1778
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