gallantest

Adjective (1)

gallant (comparative more gallant, superlative most gallant)

1. Brave, valiant, courteous, especially with regard to male attitudes towards women.
   • That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds.c. 1591–1595 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Romeo and Ivliet”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and...
2. Honorable.
   • Captain Edward Carlisle[…]felt a curious sensation of helplessness seize upon him as he met her steady gaze,[…]; he could not tell what this prisoner might do. He cursed the fate which had assigned such a duty, cursed especially that fate which forced a gallant soldier to meet so superb a woman as...1910, Emerson Hough, chapter I, in The Purchase Price: Or The Cause of Compromise, Indianapolis, Ind.: The Bobbs-Merrill Company, →OCLC
3. Grand, noble.
4. (obsolete) Showy; splendid; magnificent; gay; well-dressed.
   • This town is built in a very gallant place.1644 March 27 (Gregorian calendar), John Evelyn, “[Diary entry for 18 March 1644]”, in William Bray, editor, Memoirs, Illustrative of the Life and Writings of John Evelyn, […], 2nd edition, volume I...

Adjective (2)

gallant (comparative more gallant, superlative most gallant)

1. Polite and attentive to ladies; courteous to women; chivalrous.
   • I admire all that quaint, old-fashioned politeness; it is much more to my taste than modern ease; modern ease often disgusts me. But this good old Mr. Woodhouse, I wish you had heard his gallant speeches to me at dinner. Oh! I assure you I began to think my caro sposo would be absolutely jealous.1815, Jane Austen, Emma, volume II, chapter 17

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