Gallows
Gallows , noun, singular
[Old English galwes, pl., Anglo-Saxon galga, gealga, gallows, cross; akin to Dutch galg gallows, Old Saxon & Old High German galgo, German galgen, Icelandic gālgi, Swedish & Danish galge, Gothic 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.
If I hang, I'll make a fat pair of gallows.
O, there were desolation of gaolers and gallowses!
2.
A wretch who deserves the gallows. [Rare] — Shakespeare
3.
(Printing) The rest for the tympan when raised.
4.
A pair of suspenders or braces. [Colloquial]
At length him nailéd on a gallow tree.
Collocations (4)
Gallows bird , a person who deserves the gallows. [Colloquial]
Gallows bitts (Nautical) , one of two or more frames amidships on deck for supporting spare spars; -- called also gallows, gallows top, gallows frame, etc.
Gallows frame (Nautical) , (a) The frame supporting the beam of an engine. Gallows bitts.
Gallow tree , the gallows.