English Dictionary: gallows | by the DICT Development Group |
3 results for gallows | |
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]: | |
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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[be]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[82]d on a gallow tree. --Spenser. | |
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." |