| 释义 |
gal·lant
I. \in current senses usually ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷ — see gallant II\ noun
(-s)
Etymology: Middle English galaunt, from Middle French galant, from galant, adjective
1.
a.
(1) : a man of fashion : a young blood
(2) archaic : gentleman — usually used in plural as a noun of address
< good morrow gallants! Want ye corn for bread? — Shakespeare >
b. obsolete : a fashionably dressed woman
2. : one who is gallant to ladies:
a. : escort, date
< her gallant was now more than an hour overdue — Dorothy Barclay >
b. : suitor
c. : lover
II. \ˈgalənt in sense 4 usually gəˈlant or gaˈ- or -ˈlänt or -ˈlaa(ə)nt or -ˈlȧnt\ adjective
Etymology: Middle English galaunt, from Middle French galant, from Old French galant, present participle of galer to rejoice, have a good time, from gale pleasure, merrymaking, of Germanic origin; akin to Old English wela weal — more at weal
1.
a. : marked by show, color, smartness, or splendor especially in dress
< a gallant figure, with his sword, his rich-laced uniform, his cocked hat and powdered queue — C.B.Nordhoff & J.N.Hall >
< the loveliest, the most gallant and dashing of the beauties of the end of Queen Victoria's reign — W.S.Maugham >
b. obsolete, of a woman : handsome
2. archaic : fine, wonderful, excellent — a generalized expression of admiration
3.
a. : marked by dash and valor or by the promise or show of lively, valiant, or resolute performance; broadly : splendid, stately
< command of a tall and gallant ship speeding over blue water — S.E.Morison >
b. : marked by a blend of the high-spirited, brave, dashing, and chivalrous : inspiring admiration : showing courageous fortitude and ready resolution especially in the face of defeat
< Pickett's desperate charge … facing a terrific fire, was one of the most gallant efforts — Allan Nevins & H.S.Commager >
< losing a gallant fight for life >
c. : noble, chivalrous, and often self-sacrificing
< a gallant white lie … that brings a measure of understanding to the estranged husband and wife — Newsweek >
d. in British parliamentary and formal use : distinguished by being in the armed services
< the honorable and gallant member from Kent >
4. [French galant, from Italian galante courteous, attentive to women, from Middle French galant dashing, lively, bold]
a. : notably marked by courtesy and attentiveness to women especially in a spirited and dashing or elaborate way
< a gallant escort >
b. : given to amorous quest and intrigue : concerned with amatory ventures
< gallant enough to have made a distinguished marriage by an elopement — G.B.Shaw >
Synonyms: see civil
III. \usu ̷ ̷ˈ ̷ ̷\ verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
transitive verb
1. : to bestow gallant attentions on (a lady) : pay court to : act as a suitor or lover toward
2.
a. : to act as an escort to or attend upon (a lady)
b. : escort, conduct
3. obsolete : to handle or manipulate (a fan) in a modish manner
intransitive verb
1. : to act in the manner of a gallant : pay court : flirt : make love
< spent his evenings gallanting with the ladies of the town >
2. : to gad about or gallivant especially with the opposite sex |