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galliard

American  
[gal-yerd] / ˈgæl jərd /
Or gaillard

noun

  1. a spirited dance for two dancers in triple rhythm, common in the 16th and 17th centuries.


galliard British  
/ ˈɡæljəd /

noun

  1. a spirited dance in triple time for two persons, popular in the 16th and 17th centuries

  2. a piece of music composed for this dance

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

adjective

  1. archaic lively; spirited

"Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged" 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Etymology

Origin of galliard

1525–35; < Middle French gaillard, noun use of adj.: lively, vigorous (> Middle English gaillard, late Middle English galyarde ), probably < Gallo-Romance *galia < Celtic (compare MIr gal warlike ardor, valor); see -ard

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

A fantasia and a pavan and galliard by William Byrd were riveting.

From Washington Post Jan. 15, 2017

Go to, play a galliard vpon the violl.

From Schools, School-Books and Schoolmasters by Hazlitt, W. Carew

"Ay, but only two can keep counsel," said Morton; "the galliard must be disposed of."

From The Abbot by Scott, Walter, Sir

I had a daughter once, a match fit for the bravest galliard that sun e'er shown upon.

From Traditions of Lancashire, Volume 2 by Roby, John

Marry, before they met, he had other very pretty sufficiencies, which yet he retains some light impression of; as frequenting a dancing-school, and grievously torturing strangers with inquisition after his grace in his galliard.

From Character Writings of the 17th Century by Various

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