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gallows bird definitions

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WordNet (r) 3.0 (2005)

n
1: a person who deserves to be hanged

Merriam Webster's

noun Date: circa 1785 a person who deserves hanging

Webster's 1913 Dictionary

Gallows Gal"lows, n. sing.; pl. Gallowsesor Gallows. [OE. galwes, pl., AS. galga, gealga, gallows, cross; akin to D. galg gallows, OS. & OHG. galgo, G. galgen, Icel. g[=a]lgi, Sw. & Dan. galge, Goth. galga a cross. Etymologically and historically considered, gallows is a noun in the plural number, but it is used as a singular, and hence is preceded by a; as, a gallows.] 1. A frame from which is suspended the rope with which criminals are executed by hanging, usually consisting of two upright posts and a crossbeam on the top; also, a like frame for suspending anything. So they hanged Haman on the gallows. --Esther vii. 10. If I hang, I'll make a fat pair of gallows. --Shak. O, there were desolation of gaolers and gallowses? --Shak. 2. A wretch who deserves the gallows. [R.] --Shak. 3. (Print.) The rest for the tympan when raised. 4. pl. A pair of suspenders or braces. [Colloq.] Gallows bird, a person who deserves the gallows. [Colloq.] Gallows bitts (Naut.), one of two or more frames amidships on deck for supporting spare spars; -- called also gallows, gallows top, gallows frame, etc. Gallows frame. (a) The frame supporting the beam of an engine. (b) (Naut.) Gallows bitts. Gallows, or Gallow tree, the gallows. At length him nail['e]d on a gallow tree. --Spenser.

1811 Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue

A grief, or pickpocket; also one that associates with them.