Link Centre Dictionary

gallows

gal·lows

UK/ˈɡæləʊz/ US/ˈɡæloʊz/ fairly common

noun

1.

instrument of execution consisting of a wooden frame from which condemned persons are executed by hanging

Synonyms

Origin

From Middle English galwes, galewes, plural of galwe, galowe, from Old English galga, gealga, from Proto-West Germanic *galgō, from Proto-Germanic *galgô, from Proto-Indo-European *ǵʰalgʰ-, *ǵʰalg- (“long switch, rod, shaft, pole, perch”). The plural construction probably refers to the vertical and horizontal beams. Compare West Frisian galge, Dutch galg, German Galgen, Danish galge, Icelandic gálgi. For the pronunciation /ˈɡæləs/, compare bellows, bodice.

Phrases

  • gallow character
  • gallow glyph
  • gallows bird
  • gallows frame
  • gallows god
  • gallows humor
  • gallows humour
  • Middlesex gallows

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

Part of

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.