galliard

or gail·lard

[ gal-yerd ]
/ ˈgæl yərd /

noun

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

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 from the Web for galliard

British Dictionary definitions for galliard

galliard
/ (ˈɡæljəd) /

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

archaic lively; spirited

Word Origin for galliard

C14: from Old French gaillard valiant, perhaps of Celtic origin