GALLOWS


Meaning of GALLOWS in English

I. ˈga-(ˌ)lōz, -ləz, in sense 3 also -ləs noun

( plural gallows or gal·lows·es )

Etymology: Middle English galwes, plural of galwe, from Old English galga, gealga; akin to Old Norse gelgja pole, stake, Armenian jałk twig

Date: before 12th century

1.

a. : a frame usually of two upright posts and a transverse beam from which criminals are hanged — called also gallows tree

b. : the punishment of hanging

2. : a structure consisting of an upright frame with a crosspiece

3. : suspender 2a

II. adjective

Date: 15th century

: deserving the gallows

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.