12 definitions found for gallows

Gallows GAL'LOWS, n. singular. [Gallows is in the singular number and should be preceded by a, a gallows. The plural is gallowses.]
1. An instrument of punishment whereon criminals are executed by hanging. It consists of two posts and a cross beam on the top, to which the criminal is suspended by a rope fastened round his neck.
2. A wretch that deserves the gallows. [Not used.]

gallows n 1: an instrument of execution consisting of a wooden frame from which a condemned person is executed by hanging

gallows c.1230, pl. of M.E. galwe "gallows," from O.N. galgi, or from O.E. galga (Mercian), gealga (W. Saxon); all from P.Gmc. *galg- "pole" (cf. O.Fris. galga, M.H.G. galge "gallows, cross"), perhaps cognate with Lith. zalga "pole, perch," Armenian dzalk "pole." Originally also used of the cross of the crucifixion. Plural because made of two poles.

gallows I. noun (plural gallows or gallowses) Etymology: Middle English galwes, plural of galwe, from Old English galga, gealga; akin to Old Norse gelgja pole, stake, Armenian jałk twig Date: before 12th century 1. a. a frame usually of two upright posts and a transverse beam from which criminals are hanged — called also gallows tree b. the punishment of hanging 2. a structure consisting of an upright frame with a crosspiece 3. suspender 2a II. adjective Date: 15th century deserving the gallows

gallows
n.pl. (usu. treated as sing.)
1 a structure, usu. of two uprights and a crosspiece, for the hanging of criminals.
2 (prec. by the) execution by hanging.
Phrases and idioms:
gallows humour grim and ironical humour.
Etymology: ME f. ON gálgi

gallows (gallows) A gallows is a wooden frame used to execute criminals by hanging. N-COUNT

gallows ˈɡæləuz n.pl. (usu. treated as sing.) 1 a structure, usu. of two uprights and a crosspiece, for the hanging of criminals. 2 (prec. by the) execution by hanging. øgallows humour grim and ironical humour. [ME f. ON gÁlgi]

gallows
gealga, wulfheafedtreo

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.

GALLOWS gal'-oz. See HANGING; PUNISHMENTS.

Gallows Heb. 'ets, meaning "a tree" (Esther 6:4), a post or gibbet. In Gen. 40:19 and Deut. 21:22 the word is rendered "tree."

52 Moby Thesaurus words for "gallows": ax, beheading, block, burning, capital punishment, cross, crucifixion, death chair, death chamber, decapitation, decollation, defenestration, drop, electric chair, electrocution, execution, fusillade, gallows-tree, garrote, gas chamber, gassing, gibbet, guillotine, halter, hanging, hemlock, hemp, hempen collar, hot seat, judicial murder, lapidation, lethal chamber, maiden, necktie party, noose, poisoning, rope, scaffold, shooting, stake, stoning, strangling, strangulation, the ax, the block, the chair, the gallows, the gas chamber, the guillotine, the hot seat, the rope, tree