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gallows
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English Dictionary: gallows by the DICT Development Group
3 results for gallows
From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
gallows
n
  1. an instrument of execution consisting of a wooden frame from which a condemned person is executed by hanging
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."
     
No guarantee of accuracy or completeness!
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