Gallop
/ˈɡæl.əp/noun
To move or run at the fastest pace of a horse’s natural gait, or a horse’s rapid running gait.
Did you know?The English word comes through Old French from a Germanic root, and its earliest sense was tied to a horse’s fast movement rather than any magical meaning, though it later became a vivid image of unstoppable motion.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*wel-
“to turn, roll, or move around”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*walwōną
“to roll, wallow, or move by turning”
Old French
OF
galoper
“to gallop, run at a horse’s fast pace”
Middle English
ME
galopen
“to run or ride at a gallop”
Modern English
EN
gallop
“to move or run at a horse’s fastest natural gait”