different between gallivant vs gallivat

English

Alternative forms

• galavant

Etymology

1809, from gallant (“wooing women”), originally in sense “to flirt”, broadened to mean “roaming without plan”.

Pronunciation

• (UK) IPA^(key): /??æl.?.vænt/
• (US) IPA^(key): /??æl.?.vænt/, /??æl.??vænt/
• Rhymes: -ænt

Verb

gallivant (third-person singular simple present gallivants, present participle gallivanting, simple past and past participle gallivanted)

1. (intransitive) To roam about for pleasure without any definite plan.

   Synonym: gad
2. (intransitive, obsolete) To flirt, to romance.

Translations

References

English

Etymology

Probably from Portuguese galeota. Compare English galiot, galley.

Noun

gallivat (plural gallivats)

1. (nautical) A small armed vessel, with sails and oars, used on the Malabar coast.
   • 1812, Alexander Chalmers, The General Biographical Dictionary Volume 18, on Sir William James

     At one time when he had near seventy sail under his protection, he was assailed by a large fleet of Angria's frigates and gallivats […]

Alternative forms

• galbat
• galivat
• gallevat
• gallowet
• gallouet