4  definitions  found 
 
  From  Webster's  Revised  Unabridged  Dictionary  (1913)  [web1913]: 
 
  Gallows  \Gal"lows\,  n.  sing.;  pl  {Gallowses}or  {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. 
 
  From  WordNet  r  1.6  [wn]: 
 
  gallows 
  n  :  a  wooden  frame  from  which  condemned  persons  are  executed  by 
  hanging  [syn:  {gallowstree},  {gibbet},  {gallous}] 
 
  From  Easton's  1897  Bible  Dictionary  [easton]: 
 
  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." 
 
 
  From  THE  DEVIL'S  DICTIONARY  ((C)1911  Released  April  15  1993)  [devils]: 
 
  GALLOWS,  n.  A  stage  for  the  performance  of  miracle  plays,  in  which 
  the  leading  actor  is  translated  to  heaven.  In  this  country  the 
  gallows  is  chiefly  remarkable  for  the  number  of  persons  who  escape  it 
 
  Whether  on  the  gallows  high 
  Or  where  blood  flows  the  reddest, 
  The  noblest  place  for  man  to  die  -- 
  Is  where  he  died  the  deadest. 
  (Old  play) 
 
 

browse words by letter
a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z
or search   thesauri dictionary search words