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Heroic vs Gallant - What's the difference?

heroic | gallant |

As adjectives the difference between heroic and gallant

is that heroic is of or relating to a hero or heroine; supremely noble while gallant is brave, valiant.

As a noun gallant is

fashionable young man, who is polite and attentive to women.

As a verb gallant is

to attend or wait on (a lady).

heroic

English

Alternative forms

* heroick

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Of or relating to a hero or heroine; supremely noble
  • heroic deeds
  • Courageous; displaying heroism.
  • RAUBENHEIMER NO v TRUSTEES, JOHANNES BREDENKAMP TRUST, AND OTHERS 2006 (1) SA 124 (C) "The original cottage was said to appear on a well-known painting, dating back to 1863, of the American pirate ship, the Alabama, leaving Table Bay. It was also believed to feature in the story of the heroic Wolraad Woltemade who, in 1773, lost his life and that of his horse after valiantly saving 14 shipwrecked persons. This was said to have taken place within sight and full view of the house. The second respondent called this historical link into question, averring that the house was probably not yet built in 1773 while Woltemade's heroics were believed to have taken place in the vicinity of the Salt River mouth, some 10 km away.

    Antonyms

    * cowardly

    Derived terms

    * heroics * heroically

    Anagrams

    * ----

    gallant

    English

    Alternative forms

    * gallaunt (obsolete)

    Etymology 1

    From (etyl) .

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Brave, valiant.
  • * (William Shakespeare) (1564-1616)
  • That gallant spirit hath aspired the clouds.
  • Honorable.
  • *
  • Captain Edward Carlisle; he could not tell what this prisoner might do. He cursed the fate which had assigned such a duty, cursed especially that fate which forced a gallant soldier to meet so superb a woman as this under handicap so hard.
  • Grand, noble.
  • (lb) Showy; splendid; magnificent; gay; well-dressed.
  • * (John Evelyn) (1620-1706)
  • The town is built in a very gallant place.
  • * (William Shakespeare) (1564-1616)
  • our royal, good and gallant ship

    Etymology 2

    From (etyl)

    Adjective

    (en adjective)
  • Polite and attentive to ladies; courteous to women; chivalrous.
  • Noun

    (en noun)
  • (dated) Fashionable young man, who is polite and attentive to women.
  • * 1610 , , act 1 scene 2
  • PROSPERO: [...] this gallant which thou see'st / Was in the wrack; and but he's something stain'd /with grief,—that beauty's canker,—thou mightst call him / A goodly person [...]
  • One who woos, a lover, a suitor, a seducer.
  • * 1819 , , Otho the Great , Act III, Scene II, verses 140-143
  • The ignominy of that whisper’d tale
    About a midnight gallant , seen to climb
    A window to her chamber neighbour’d near,
    I will from her turn off,
  • An animal or thing of grey colour, such as a horse, badger, or salmon.
  • * Sir Walter Scott
  • Woe worth the chase, woe worth the day, / That costs thy life, my gallant grey .
  • (nautical) topgallant
  • Verb

    (en verb)
  • (obsolete) To attend or wait on (a lady).
  • to gallant ladies to the play
  • (obsolete) To handle with grace or in a modish manner.
  • to gallant a fan

    References

    * English heteronyms ----