galliard
Americannoun
noun
-
a spirited dance in triple time for two persons, popular in the 16th and 17th centuries
-
a piece of music composed for this dance
adjective
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.
A fantasia and a pavan and galliard by William Byrd were riveting.
From Washington Post ● Jan. 15, 2017
On the broad terrace in front some of them are dancing a galliard.
From Collected Poems Volume Two by Noyes, Alfred
It was too much for the galliard merchant, and he swooned.
From Devil-Worship in France or The Question of Lucifer by Waite, Arthur Edward
Count Victor was by these last words transported to his native city, and his own far-off days of galliard.
From Doom Castle by Munro, Neil
What dost thou mean? is it a world to hide virtues in?—I did think, by the excellent constitution of thy leg, it was form'd under the star of a galliard.
From Twelfth Night or, What You Will by Kemble, J P
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
