gambade
(gæmˈbeɪd)
[A readoption (by Sir W. Scott) of F. gambade: see gambol.]
1. A leap or bound of a horse. (Cf. gambado2 1.)
| 1823 Scott Quentin D. ix, Each fresh gambade of his unmanageable horse placed him in a new and more precarious attitude. 1834 Tait's Mag. I. 850 [He] gallops his Pegasus at such a fiery-footed pace, and makes so many strange gambades, curvets, and caracoles. |
2. fig. A prank, freak, frolic.
| 1821 Scott Fam. Lett. 15 Feb., You must lay aside your frolics and gambades and take a manful journey-pace for a little while at least. 1825 ― Jrnl. (1890) I. 21 To Southey I wrote..touching on..his innocence as to those gambades which may have given offence. 1826 Mem. Margravine of Anspach I. viii. 304 A surprising pantomimic spectacle which would decide the fate of the universe in gambades. |