['gal(?)nt]
¦ adjective
1. brave; heroic.
2. also g?'lant (of a man) attentive and chivalrous.
3. archaic grand or impressive.
¦ noun also g?'lant
1. a man who is charmingly attentive to women.
2. archaic a dashing gentleman.
¦ verb also g?'lant archaic (of a man) be charmingly attentive to (a woman).
Derivatives
gallantly adverb
Origin
ME (in the sense 'finely dressed'): from OFr. galant, from galer 'have fun, make a show', from gale 'pleasure, rejoicing'.