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.
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?Sc. 1802 A. Bruce Dissertation 47:
Let the English, if they please, admit a weak, fickle, freakish, bigotted, gallantish or imperious woman, to sway the sceptre of political dominion over millions of men, and even over her own husband in the croud . . . they shall meet with no opposition from the Presbyterians.
†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.
