WordWeight : Weighing the Words

Pronunciation : Gal"lows
Part of Speech : n.
Etymology : [OE. galwes, pl., AS. galga, gealga, gallows, cross; akin to D. galg gallows, OS. & OHG. galgo, G. galgen, Icel. galgi, Sw. & Dan. galge, Goth. galga a cross. Etymologically and historically considered, gallows is a noun in the plural number, but
Definition : 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.)

Defn: The rest for the tympan when raised.

4. pl.

Defn: 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?d on a gallow tree. Spenser.

sing.; pl. Gallowses or Gallows.
Source : Webster's Unabridged Dictionary, 1913