gallop
UK[ˈɡæləp]US[ˈɡæləp]
v
(of a horse) to run at its fastest speed with all four feet off the ground in each stride.
v
to ride a horse at a gallop.
v
to move or progress very rapidly.
n
the fastest pace of a horse or other quadruped, with a moment in each stride when all four feet are off the ground.
n
a ride on a horse at a gallop.
Etymology
the word "gallop" entered english in the early 16th century from the old french "galoper". the old french term is likely of frankish origin, derived from a germanic compound represented by the old high german "walalauf", meaning "a running well" or "a good run". this germanic root is a combination of elements meaning "well" and "leap" or "run". the word's journey from a frankish war-horse term into old french and then english reflects its specialized association with the fastest gait of a horse, a meaning it has retained while also extending metaphorically to describe any very rapid movement.
Analysis
the word is a simplex loanword. it does not contain separable morphemes in its modern english spelling.
Examples
the horse broke into a furious gallop across the field.
we had only an hour to gallop through the final preparations.
she enjoyed a morning gallop along the beach.