gallop, v. i. [OE. galopen, F. galoper, of German origin; cf. assumed Goth. ga-hlaupan to run, OHG. giloufen, AS. gehleápan to leap, dance, fr. root of E. leap, and a prefix; or cf. OFlem. walop a gallop. See Leap, and cf. 1st Wallop.].

To move or run in the mode called a gallop; as a horse; to go at a gallop; to run or move with speed. [1913 Webster]
"But gallop lively down the western hill." [1913 Webster]
To ride a horse at a gallop. [1913 Webster]
Fig.: To go rapidly or carelessly, as in making a hasty examination. [1913 Webster]
"Such superficial ideas he may collect in galloping over it." [1913 Webster]

gallop, v. t.

To cause to gallop. [1913 Webster]

gallop, n. [Cf. F. galop. See Gallop, v. i., and cf. Galop.].

A mode of running by a quadruped, particularly by a horse, by lifting alternately the fore feet and the hind feet, in successive leaps or bounds. [1913 Webster]

Hand gallop, a slow or gentle gallop.

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OXFORD DICTIONARY

gallop, n. & v.
--n.
1 the fastest pace of a horse or other quadruped, with all the feet off the ground together in each stride.
2 a ride at this pace.
3 a track or ground for this.
--v. (galloped, galloping)
1 a intr. (of a horse etc. or its rider) go at the pace of a gallop. b tr. make (a horse etc.) gallop.
2 intr. (foll. by through, over) read, recite, or talk at great speed.
3 intr. move or progress rapidly (galloping inflation).

Idiom

at a gallop at the pace of a gallop.

Derivative

galloper n.

Etymology

OF galop, galoper: see WALLOP

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THESAURUS

gallop

amble, bound, burst, burst of speed, canter, caracole, curvet, dash, dead run, dogtrot, drag, droop, flank speed, flat-out speed, flounce, forced draft, fox-trot, frisk, full gallop, gait, get, git, go on horseback, hack, hand gallop, headlong rush, heavy right foot, high lope, hightail, hitch, hobble, hop, hop along, hotfoot, jog, jog trot, leap, limp, lock step, lope, lurch, make tracks, maximum speed, mince, mincing steps, mount, open throttle, pace, paddle, piaffe, piaffer, plunge, prance, race, rack, ride bareback, ride hard, roll, run, rush, saunter, scamper, scud, scurry, scuttle, shamble, shuffle, sidle, single-foot, slink, slither, slouch, slowness, spring, sprint, spurt, stagger, stalk, step, step along, step lively, stride, stroll, strolling gait, strut, swagger, swing, take horse, tittup, toddle, totter, tread, trip, trot, velocity, waddle, walk, wide-open speed

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ROGET THESAURUS

gallop

Transientness

VB be transient, flit, pass away, fly, gallop, vanish, fade, evaporate, pass away like a cloud, pass away like a summer cloud, pass away like a shadow, pass away like a dream.

Journey

VB travel, journey, course, take a journey, go a journey, take a walk, go out for walk, have a run, take the air, flit, take wing, migrate, emigrate, trek, rove, prowl, roam, range, patrol, pace up and down, traverse, scour the country, traverse the country, peragrate, circumambulate, perambulate, nomadize, wander, ramble, stroll, saunter, hover, go one's rounds, straggle, gad, gad about, expatiate, walk, march, step, tread, pace, plod, wend, go by shank's mare, promenade, trudge, tramp, stalk, stride, straddle, strut, foot it, hoof it, stump, bundle, bowl along, toddle, paddle, tread a path, take horse, ride, drive, trot, amble, canter, prance, fisk, frisk, caracoler, caracole, gallop, embark, board, set out, hit the road, get going, get underway, peg on, jog on, wag on, shuffle on, stir one's stumps, bend one's steps, bend one's course, make one's way, find one's way, wend one's way, pick one's way, pick one's way, thread one's way, plow one's way, slide, glide, coast, skim, skate, march in procession, file on, defile, go to, repair to, resort to, hie to, betake oneself to.

Velocity

VB move quickly, trip, fisk, speed, hie, hasten, post, spank, scuttle, scud, scuddle, scour, scour the plain, scamper, run like mad, beat it, fly, race, run a race, cut away, shot, tear, whisk, zoom, swoosh, sweep, skim, brush, cut along, bowl along, barrel along, barrel, scorch, burn up the track, rush, dash on, dash off, dash forward, bolt, trot, gallop, amble, troll, bound, flit, spring, dart, boom, march in quick time, march in double time, ride hard, get over the ground, hurry, accelerate, put on, quicken, quicken one's pace, mend one's pace, clap spurs to one's horse, make haste, make rapid strides, make forced marches, make the best of one's way, put one's best leg foremost, stir one's stumps, wing one's way, set off at a score, carry sail, crowd sail, go off like a shot, go like a shot, go ahead, gain ground, outstrip the wind, fly on the wings of the wind, keep up with, keep pace with, outstrip, outmarch.

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