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. gālgi, 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
nailéd on a gallow
tree.
Spenser.
Hear it pronounced