GALLOWS

gallows

(noun) an instrument of execution consisting of a wooden frame from which a condemned person is executed by hanging

Source: WordNet® 3.1


Proper noun

Gallows

plural of Gallow

Etymology 1

Noun

gallows (plural gallows or gallowses)

Wooden framework on which persons are put to death by hanging. [from 1300s]

(colloquial, obsolete) A wretch who deserves to be hanged.

(printing, obsolete) The rest for the tympan when raised.

(colloquial, obsolete) Suspenders; braces.

Any contrivance with posts and crossbeam for suspending objects.

The main frame of a beam engine.

Synonyms

• (wooden framework used for hanging): gallows tree, gallow tree, hanging tree, gibbet

Etymology 2

Verb

gallows

Third-person singular simple present indicative form of gallow

Source: Wiktionary


Gal"lows, n. sing.; pl. Gallowses or Gallows. Etym: [OE. galwes, pl., AS. galga, gealga, gallows, cross; akin to D. galg gallows, OS. & OHG. galgo, G. galgen, Icel. galgi, 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.)

Definition: The rest for the tympan when raised.

4. pl.

Definition: 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 nailĂ©d on a gallow tree. Spenser.

GALLOW

Gal"low, v. t. Etym: [Cf. AS. agelwan to stupefy.]

Definition: To fright or terrify. See Gally, v. t. [Obs.] Shak.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition



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Word of the Day

6 June 2025

PUNGENCY

(noun) wit having a sharp and caustic quality; “he commented with typical pungency”; “the bite of satire”


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Coffee Trivia

According to Guinness World Records, the most massive cup of coffee contained 22,739.14 liters and was created by Alcaldía Municipal de Chinchiná (Colombia) at Parque de Bolívar, Chinchiná, Caldas, Colombia, on 15 June 2019. Fifty people worked for more than a month to build this giant cup. The drink prepared was Arabic coffee.

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