[1] : The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48

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=algi,
   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.
      1913 webster

            so they hanged haman on the gallows.  --esther vii.
                                                  10.
      1913 webster

            if i hang, i'll make a fat pair of gallows. --shak.
      1913 webster

            o, there were desolation of gaolers and gallowses
                                                  --shak.
      1913 webster

   2. a wretch who deserves the gallows. r. --shak.
      1913 webster

   3. print. the rest for the tympan when raised.
      1913 webster

   4. pl. a pair of suspenders or braces. colloq.
      1913 webster

   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 tree, or

   gallow tree, the gallows.
      1913 webster

            at length him nail'ed on a gallow tree. --spenser.
      1913 webster
see also:
gallowses gallows gallows bird gallows bitts gallows gallows top 
gallows frame gallows frame gallows tree gallow tree 

[2] : WordNet (r) 2.0

gallows
     n : instrument of execution consisting of a wooden frame from
         which condemned persons are executed by hanging syn: gallows
         tree, gallows-tree, gibbet, gallous
see also:
gallows tree gallows-tree gibbet gallous 

[3] : 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

[4] : 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."
   

[5] : Bouvier's Law Dictionary, Revised 6th Ed (1856)

gallows. an erection on which to bang criminals condemned to death. 

[6] : THE DEVIL'S DICTIONARY ((C)1911 Released April 15 1993)

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

Gallows >> G Words
Gallows, definition of term: Gallows
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