Gauʹvaine or Gaʹwain

= Gau-wain (2 syl., g hard). Sir Gauvaine the Courteous. One of Arthur’s knights, and his nephew. He challenged the Green Knight, and struck off his head; but the headless knight picked up his poll again and walked off, telling Sir Gauvaine to meet him twelve months hence. Sir Gauvaine kept his appointment, and was hospitably entertained; but, taking possession of the girdle belonging to the lady of the house, was chastised by the Green Knight, confessed his fault, and was forgiven.

“The gentle Gawain’s courteous lore,

Hector de Mares and Pellinore,

And Lancelot that evermore

Looked stolʹn wise on the queen.”

Sir W. Scott: Bridal of Triermain, ii. 13.

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Entry taken from Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, edited by the Rev. E. Cobham Brewer, LL.D. and revised in 1895.