Scottish National Dictionary (1700–)
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First published 1956 (SND Vol. IV).
This entry has not been updated since then but may contain minor corrections and revisions.
Quotation dates: 1755-1928
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GALLANT, adj., n., v. Also †galant, †gallaunt, †galland. Sc. forms and usages. [′gɑlɑnt (adj.), gɑ′lɑnt (v.)]
‡I. adj. Large, “of such dimensions as fully to answer the purpose intended” (n.Sc. 1808 Jam.; Sc. 1818 Sawers), excellent, “grand”.Abd. 1755 R. Forbes Jnl. from London 28:
Flay him belly-flaught, his skin wad mak' a gallant tulchin for you.Sc. 1880 Invernessian (30 Oct.):
A Selection of Highland Schottisches, Price 3s., Contains —. . . The Smith's a Gallant Fireman.Per.2 1928:
A gallant tea-pot.
†II. n. 1. “A woman who strolls about in the company of men” (Cld. 1880 Jam.). Used up to 17th cent. in Eng. — a fashionably attired beauty, but now applied only to men (rare or arch.).
Hence gallantish, of women: flirtatious (Sc. 1825 Jam.), also, more gen., gay, fond of display.Edb. 1791 J. Learmont Poems 66:
Guid Madam, what think ye O' poor gallantish Grizzy Mode?
†2. A young fellow (Sc. 1808 Jam., galland), by confusion with callant (see Callan, n.1).
III. v. To gad about idly, gallivant; to flirt; to gad about in one's best clothes (Inv.1 1880–1900). Gen.Sc.Bch. 1804 W. Tarras Poems 143:
In kirk-yard drear they may gallant, An' mak his turf their fav'rite haunt.Slk. 1820 Hogg Winter Ev. Tales II. 60:
What a terrible sin and shame it is to gallaunt as they do!Ayr. 1822 Galt Steam-boat vii.:
The witches are in the practice of gallanting over field and flood . . . in the shape of cats and mawkins.Dmf. 1861 R. Quinn Heather Lintie 55:
I ne'er wi' ither bairns gallanted Wha looks repulsive on me slanted.Abd. 1873 J. Ogg Willie Waly 37:
Hoo noo, my gay gallantin' frien'.Edb. 1876 J. Smith Archie and Bess iii.:
She'll be galantin' wi' some o' her companions oot at the Kelvin, or ower by at the Green, the cutty.Ags. 1892 Arbroath Guide (27 Feb.) 3:
I 'sure ye it sets a haiverin' auld fule like you to gang gallantin' amang a puckle bairns.Gsw. 1898 D. Willox Poems & Sk. 49:
A fine carry-on for a man cam tae your time o' day, awa' galantin' wi' your cronies tae a' hours at een, as if ye had neither count nor care.
Hence gallanter, a gallivanter, flirt.Sc. 1846 Anon. Muckomachy 28:
Tam the gallanter, . . . Loud Venus' vaunter.Ayr. 1862 J. Baxter The Kirn, etc. 44:
J — M — was . . . a great gallanter.
