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Impetuous vs Gallant - What's the difference?

impetuous | gallant | Related terms |

Impetuous is a related term of gallant.


As adjectives the difference between impetuous and gallant

is that impetuous is making arbitrary decisions, especially in an impulsive and forceful manner while gallant is brave, valiant or gallant can be polite and attentive to ladies; courteous to women; chivalrous.

As a noun gallant is

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

As a verb gallant is

(obsolete|transitive) to attend or wait on (a lady).

impetuous

English

Adjective

(en adjective)
  • Making arbitrary decisions, especially in an impulsive and forceful manner.
  • * 1880 , John Weeks Moore, Complete Encyclopaedia of Music , "":
    • But it was natural, that the impetuous , restless young artist should incline more to excess of strength than of delicacy in his playing.
  • Characterized by sudden and violent force.
  • * 1794 , :
    • He stands, and views in the faint rays
    Far, far below, the torrent's rising surge,
    And listens to the wild impetuous roar

    Synonyms

    * impulsive * hasty * rash * hotheaded

    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
    Related terms
    * gallantly * gallantry

    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 ----