GALLOWS DEFINITIONS - 12 definitions found
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. Merriam-Webster's Collegiate Dictionary, 11th Edition (2003) 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 Oxford English Reference Dictionary
Collins COBUILD Advanced Learner\'s English Dictionary gallows (gallows) A gallows is a wooden frame used to execute criminals by hanging. N-COUNT English Explanatory Dictionary 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] English-Old English dictionary gallows Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913) 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. International Standard Bible Encyclopedia GALLOWS gal'-oz. See HANGING; PUNISHMENTS. Easton's 1897 Bible Dictionary 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." Moby Thesaurus II by Grady Ward, 1.0 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 |
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