gal|lop /gæ ləp/ (gallops , galloping , galloped )
1 VERB When a horse gallops , it runs very fast so that all four legs are off the ground at the same time. If you gallop a horse, you make it gallop. □ [V adv/prep] The horses galloped away. □ [V n prep/adv] Staff officers galloped fine horses down the road.
2 VERB If you gallop , you ride a horse that is galloping. □ [V prep/adv] Major Winston galloped into the distance.
3 N‑SING A gallop is a ride on a horse that is galloping. □ I was forced to attempt a gallop.
4 VERB If something such as a process gallops , it develops very quickly and is often difficult to control. □ [V adv] In spite of the recession, profits have galloped ahead. □ [V -ing] …galloping inflation.
5 VERB If you gallop , you run somewhere very quickly. □ [V prep] They are galloping around the garden playing football. [Also V n]
6 PHRASE If you do something at a gallop , you do it very quickly. □ I read the book at a gallop.
gal|lows /gæ loʊz/ (gallows ) N‑COUNT A gallows is a wooden frame used to execute criminals by hanging.
gall|stone /gɔː lstoʊn/ (gallstones ) N‑COUNT A gallstone is a small, painful lump which can develop in your gall bladder.
ga|lore /gəlɔː r / ADJ [n ADJ ] You use galore to emphasize that something you like exists in very large quantities. [INFORMAL , WRITTEN , EMPHASIS ] □ You'll be able to win prizes galore. □ …a popular resort with beaches galore.
ga|loshes /gəlɒ ʃ I z/ N‑PLURAL Galoshes are waterproof shoes, usually made of rubber, which you wear over your ordinary shoes to prevent them getting wet.
gal|va|nize /gæ lvəna I z/ (galvanizes , galvanizing , galvanized ) in BRIT, also use galvanise VERB To galvanize someone means to cause them to take action, for example by making them feel very excited, afraid, or angry. □ [V n] The aid appeal has galvanised the German business community. □ [be V -ed + into ] They have been galvanised into collective action–militarily, politically and economically. [Also V n + into ]
gal|va|nized /gæ lvəna I zd/ in BRIT, also use galvanised ADJ [usu ADJ n] Galvanized metal, especially iron and steel, has been covered with zinc in order to protect it from rust and other damage. □ …corrosion-resistant galvanized steel. □ …75mm galvanised nails.
gam|bit /gæ mb I t/ (gambits )
1 N‑COUNT A gambit is an action or set of actions, which you carry out in order to try to gain an advantage in a situation or game. □ He sees the proposal as more of a diplomatic gambit than a serious defense proposal. □ Campaign strategists are calling the plan a clever political gambit.
2 N‑COUNT A gambit is a remark which you make to someone in order to start or continue a conversation with them. □ His favourite opening gambit is: 'You are so beautiful, will you be my next wife?'. □ Bernard made no response to Tom's conversational gambits.
gam|ble /gæ mb ə l/ (gambles , gambling , gambled )
1 N‑COUNT A gamble is a risky action or decision that you take in the hope of gaining money, success, or an advantage over other people. □ …the president's risky gamble in calling a referendum.
2 VERB If you gamble on something, you take a risky action or decision in the hope of gaining money, success, or an advantage over other people. □ [V + on ] Few firms will be willing to gamble on new products. □ [V n + on ] They are not prepared to gamble their careers on this matter. □ [V + with ] Who wants to gamble with the life of a friend? [Also V , V n, V that]
3 VERB If you gamble an amount of money, you bet it in a game such as cards or on the result of a race or competition. People who gamble usually do it frequently. □ [V n] Most people visit Las Vegas to gamble their hard-earned money. □ [V + on ] John gambled heavily on the horses. □ [V ] He was gambling heavily, to the alarm of his family. □ [V n with away ] He gambled away his family estate on a single throw of the dice.
gam|bler /gæ mblə r / (gamblers )
1 N‑COUNT A gambler is someone who gambles regularly, for example in card games or horse racing.
2 N‑COUNT If you describe someone as a gambler , you mean that they are ready to take risks in order to gain advantages or success. □ English cricketers have never been gamblers by nature.
gam|bling /gæ mbl I ŋ/ N‑UNCOUNT Gambling is the act or activity of betting money, for example in card games or on horse racing. □ Gambling is a form of entertainment. □ …gambling casinos.
gam|bol /gæ mb ə l/ (gambols , gambolling , gambolled ) in AM, use gamboling , gamboled VERB If animals or people gambol , they run or jump about in a playful way. □ [V prep/adv] …the sight of newborn lambs gambolling in the fields.
game ◆◆◆ /ge I m/ (games )
1 N‑COUNT A game is an activity or sport usually involving skill, knowledge, or chance, in which you follow fixed rules and try to win against an opponent or to solve a puzzle. □ …the wonderful game of football. □ …a playful game of hide-and-seek. □ …a video game.
2 N‑COUNT A game is one particular occasion on which a game is played. □ It was the first game of the season. □ He regularly watched our games from the stands. □ We won three games against Australia.