gal|lop

gal|lop «GAL uhp», noun, verb.

–n.

1. the fastest gait of a horse or other four-footed animal. In a gallop, all four feet are off the ground together once in each stride.

2. a ride at a gallop: »

Much more interesting were some of the winding-up gallops for the Champagne Stakes (New Yorker).

3. Figurative. a rapid rate: »

Sports announcers often speak at a gallop.

–v.i.

1. to ride at a gallop: »

The hunters galloped after the hounds. Up the hill galloped the gallant three hundred (Tennyson).

2. to go at a gallop: »

The wild horse galloped off when he saw us.

3. Figurative. to go very fast; hurry: »

to gallop through a book.

SYNONYM(S): race.

–v.t.

1. to cause to go at a gallop: »

He galloped his horse down the road.

2. to gallop along or through: »

The golden sun…Gallops the Zodiac in his glistering coach (Shakespeare).

╂[< Old French galop < galoper, unrecorded Old North French waloper. See etym. of doublet wallop. (Cf. ↑wallop)]