gallowsn.
/ˈɡaləʊz/, U.S. /ˈɡæloʊz/ 1. An apparatus for inflicting the punishment of death by hanging, usually consisting of two uprights and a cross-piece, from which the criminal is suspended by the neck. Sometimes used as equivalent to cross n. See cross n. 1.In Old English the singular galga and the plural galgan are both used for ‘a gallows’, the plural having reference presumably to the two posts of which the apparatus mainly consisted. Occasional examples of the singular form occur in Middle English, and even down to the 17th cent.; but from the 13th cent. onwards the plural galwes and its later phonetic representatives have been the prevailing forms. So far as our material shows, Caxton is the first writer to speak of ‘a gallows’, though he also uses the older expression ‘a pair of gallows’; but it is, of course, possible that the plural form was sometimes treated as a singular much earlier. From the 16th cent. gallows has been (exc. archaic in ‘pair of gallows’) used as a singular, with a new plural gallowses; the latter, though perhaps not strictly obsolete, is now seldom used; the formation is felt to be somewhat uncouth, so that the use of the word in the plural is commonly evaded.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > [noun] > gallows
gallowsOE
gallows-treea1000
warytre?a1200
gibbet?c1225
gallow-forka1250
forkc1275
juisec1320
forchesc1380
crossa1382
treec1425
patible1428
justice1484
potencec1500
haltera1533
turning-tree1548
potentc1550
three treesa1566
chates1567
mare1568
furel1587
bough1590
gibe1590
derrickc1600
hangrella1605
cross-tree1638
Gregorian tree1641
wooden horse1642
timber-marec1650
triple tree1651
furca1653
nubbing1673
a horse that was foaled of an acorn1678
nub1699
Tyburn tree1728
raven-stone1738
picture frame1785
crap1789
lamp-iron1790
Moll Blood1818
stifler1818
scragging-post1819
government signposta1828
leafless tree1830
shuggie-shue1836
doom-tree1837
stob1860–62
α.
β. c1300 Havelok (Laud) (1868) 1161 Thou shal to the galwes renne.c1330 R. Mannyng Chron. (1810) 172 Galwes do ȝe reise, and hyng þis cheitefe.a1400–50 Alexander 1813 And for þaire souerayne sake þam send to þe galawis.1480 W. Caxton Chron. Eng. (1482) ccxliv. 305 There was made a newe payre of galewes and a strong cheyne and a coler of yren for hym.1490 Caxton's Blanchardyn & Eglantine (1962) xlviii. 187 He shold doo make and to be sette vp a galhouse.c1550 Complaynt Scotl. (1979) xi. 80 Tua speyris..stude vp fra the eyrd lyik ane gallus.1589 ‘M. Marprelate’ Epitome C iv The theefe on the gallowes was saued without them.a1616 W. Shakespeare As you like It (1623) iii. ii. 318 Who doth he [sc. Time] gallop withal?.. With a theefe to the gallowes.a1627 J. Hayward Life & Raigne Edward Sixt (1630) 64 He took the maior aside and..required of him that a paire of gallowes should be framed and erected.1689 A. Wood Life & Times (1894) III. 318 A gallowes being erected before Temple gate.1756 tr. J. G. Keyssler Trav. I. 334 Two ladders are placed against the gallows.1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian vi, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. I. 173 Why do you trifle away time in making a gallows?—that dyester's pole is good enough for the homicide.1855 H. H. Milman Hist. Lat. Christianity VI. xiv. vii. 528 In the older versions the now ignoble words ‘hanging and the gallows’ were used instead of the Crucifixion and the Cross.γ. 1562 W. Turner 2nd Pt. Herball f. 46 Mandrag..groweth not vnder gallosses.1673 R. Leigh Transproser Rehears'd 108 Make bonfires of the gallowses, set open all the prisons.1775 J. Sullivan in J. Sparks Corr. Amer. Revol. (1853) I. 72 That all our liberty-poles will soon be converted into gallowses.1801 H. M. Williams Sketches Manners French Republic I. xvii. 209 Previous to this epocha, gallowses had been erected at Naples.OE Cynewulf Juliana 482 Sume ic rode bifealh, þæt hi hyre dreorge on hean galgan lif aletan.
OE Beowulf 2446 Swa bið geomorlic gomelum ceorle to gebidanne, þæt his byre ride giong on galgan.
c1000 in T. Wright & R. P. Wülcker Anglo-Saxon & Old Eng. Vocab. (1884) I. 116/19 Patibulum, galga.
1483 Cath. Angl. 149/1 A Galowe, furca.
1535 Bible (Coverdale) Esther v. C Let them make a galowe of fiftye cubites hie.
1561 T. Norton tr. J. Calvin Inst. Christian Relig. Calvin's Pref. Worthy of a thousand fires and gallowes.
1567 T. Drant tr. Horace Pistles in tr. Horace Arte of Poetrie sig. Fj With gyues, and fetters Ile tame the Vnder a galow dyre.
1681 W. Robertson Phraseologia generalis (1693) 1014 Do you look I should..praise you, who deserved the Gallow so lately?
2.
a. The punishment itself.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > [noun]
hanginga1300
hangmentc1440
gallows1483
gibbet1502
Tyburn checka1529
Tyburn stretch1573
caudle of hempseed1588
hempen caudle1588
swinging1591
rope law1592
rope-leap1611
cording1619
turn1631
nubbing1673
cravatting1683
gibbetation1689
topping1699
Tyburn jig1699
noosing1819
scragging1819
Tyburn tie1828
Newgate hornpipe1829
dance upon nothing1841
drop1887
suspension1909
1483 W. Caxton tr. Caton A vij His fader..bought him ageyn fro the galowes and fro dyshonest dethe.
c1522 T. More Treat. Memorare Nouissima in Wks. (1557) I. 82 His galowes & death standeth within .x. mile at ye farthest, & yours within .lxxx.
?1531 J. Frith Disput. Purgatorye ii. sig. f3 When we saye that such a man hath delivered his frende from the galowes, we meane not that he was all readye hanged.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Measure for Measure (1623) i. ii. 81 What with the sweat, what with the gallowes, and what with pouerty, I am Custom-shrunke. View more context for this quotation
1730 in Swift's Lett. (1768) IV. 251 Into their secular hands the poor authors must be delivered to..pillories, whippings, and the gallows.
1836 H. Smith Tin Trumpet I. 232 Gallows—A cure without being a prevention of crime.
1881 W. Besant & J. Rice Chaplain of Fleet I. iii. 48 The gallows did not terrify these evil-doers.
b. to have the gallows in one's face: to have the look of one predestined to or deserving the gallows.
ΘΚΠ
society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > roguery, knavery, or rascalry > [verb (intransitive)] > look worthy of hanging
to have the gallows in one's facea1616
a1616 W. Shakespeare Tempest (1623) i. i. 29 This fellow..hath no drowning marke vpon him, his complexion is perfect Gallowes. View more context for this quotation
1710 S. Palmer Moral Ess. Prov. 114 The gallows is almost as visible in their face as their nose: as is often to be seen in a thoro'pac'd villain.
1768 O. Goldsmith Good Natur'd Man v. 64 Hold him fast, the dog; he has the gallows in his face.
1834 F. Marryat Jacob Faithful I. viii. 132 ‘There's gallows marked in his face,’ observed another.
c. Proverbs.
ΚΠ
a1400 Sir Beues (A.) 1217 Deliure a þef fro þe galwe, He þe hateþ after be alle halwe!
1484 W. Caxton tr. Subtyl Historyes & Fables Esope i. x Yf ye kepe a man fro the galhows he shalle neuer loue yow after.
1583 A. Golding tr. J. Calvin Serm. on Deuteronomie li. 307 Saue a theefe from the gallowes and hee will helpe to hang thee.
1592 R. Greene Disput. Conny-catcher sig. B He that feares the Gallowes shal neuer be good theefe.
1593 T. Nashe Christs Teares Pref. Ep. Saue a thief from the gallows, and hee'le be the first to shew the way to Saint Gilesesse.
3. One deserving the gallows; a gallows-bird.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > roguery > rogue > [noun] > worthy of hanging
wickhals?a1400
crack-rope?a1500
stretch-hemp1532
man of death1535
slip-string1546
waghalter1546
hang-rope1570
rope-ripe1570
crack-halter1573
hempstring1573
wag-string1578
stretch-halter1583
gallows1598
halter-sack1598
wag-with1611
roper1615
gallows-climber1668
hang-string1675
gallows-face1725
gallows-bird1785
society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > roguery, knavery, or rascalry > [noun] > rogue, knave, or rascal > worthy of hanging
wickhals?a1400
crack-rope?a1500
widdieneck?a1500
widdiefu?a1513
thevis neka1525
stretch-hemp1532
man of death1535
slip-string1546
waghalter1546
ropeful1567
gallows-clapper1570
hang-rope1570
rope-ripe1570
crack-halter1573
hempstring1573
wag-string1578
stretch-halter1583
gallows1598
halter-sack1598
wag-with1611
crack-hempa1616
roper1615
halter-sick1617
gallows-climber1668
hang-string1675
hempy1718
gallows-face1725
gallows-bird1785
hang-gallows1785
1598 W. Shakespeare Love's Labour's Lost v. ii. 12 He hath been fiue thousand yeere a Boy. Kath. I and a shrowde vnhappie gallowes too. View more context for this quotation
1613 F. Beaumont Knight of Burning Pestle i. sig. C4 Though he bee a notable gallowes, yet Il'e assure you his maister did turne him away.
1749 B. Martin Eng. Dict. Gallows, a wicked rascal.
1838 C. Dickens Oliver Twist I. xi. 160 ‘Now, young gallows.’ This was an invitation for Oliver to enter through a door..which led into a stone cell.
a. = fork n. 5b. Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
society > armed hostility > victory > [noun] > subjugation > yoke under which defeated enemy passed
yokec1540
gallows1565
fork1619
1565–73 T. Cooper Thesaurus Abire sub iugum..to passe or go vnder the gallies.
1619 E. M. Bolton tr. Florus Rom. Hist. i. xvi. 73 Passing them naked vnder forkes, or gallowses.
b. Gallows of Caudium = Caudine Forks n. at fork n. 14. Cf. quot. 1600 at gullet n. 4a. Obsolete.
5. Applied to various objects consisting of two or more supports and a cross-piece.† a. An iron support for a pot over a kitchen fire. Cf. gallow-balk n. Obsolete.† c. Printing. ‘A frame used for supporting the tympans of the old wooden presses when turned up’ (Jacobi). Obsolete.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > equipment for food preparation > cooking vessel or pot > [noun] > trivet
trivet1416
gallows1512
trippet1563
gallows-tree1590
footman1767
sime1781
1512 Will in Southwell Visit. (1891) 116 I bequeth to the chauntrye priest..oon paire of galoes of yrne.
1576 Inventory in J. T. Fowler Acts Church SS. Peter & Wilfrid, Ripon (1875) 378 A paire of iron gallows.
b. Nautical. (See quot. 1867.)
ΚΠ
1769 W. Falconer Universal Dict. Marine at No Man's Land Their [sc. booms'] after-ends are usually sustained by a frame called the gallows.
1867 W. H. Smyth & E. Belcher Sailor's Word-bk. Gallows, the cross~pieces on the small bitts at the main and fore hatch-ways in flush-decked vessels, for stowing away the booms and spars over the boats.
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > printing > printing machine or press > parts of printers or presses > [noun] > tympan > frame supporting
gallows1683
1683 J. Moxon Mech. Exercises II. 328 One Press-man..will Beat so soon as he has laid the Tympan on the Gallows after Pulling.
1808 C. Stower Printer's Gram. 506* Fig. 8 is the gallows, in which the frame A, B, B is screwed to the front of the carriage, between the joints of the tympan.
1833 J. Holland Treat. Manuf. Metal II. 210 The gallows for the tympans is also removed.
d. A gymnastic apparatus.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > sport > types of sport or game > gymnastics > [noun] > equipment
plummet?1537
springboard?1780
horse1785
trampoline1798
club1815
gallows1817
Indian club1825
rope1825
horizontal bar1827
trapeze1830
vaulting bar1839
parallel bars1850
wooden horse1854
trapezium1856
giant stride1863
ring1869
vaulting horse1875
mast1880
fly-pole1884
pommel1887
Roman ring1894
mat1903
wall bar1903
pommel horse1908
buck1932
pommel vault1932
landing mat1941
rebounder1980
1817 R. Southey in C. C. Southey Life & Corr. R. Southey (1850) IV. 268 Others were swinging in such attitudes as they liked from a gallows.
1827 T. Arnold Let. in A. P. Stanley Life & Corr. T. Arnold (1844) I. 72 When..I could no more..hang on a gallows, nor climb a pole.
e. A part of a plough (see quot. 1842).
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > farming > tools and implements > ploughing equipment > [noun] > plough > part to which draught attached
plough shackle?c1475
plough-ear1510
cock?1523
ear?1523
muzzle1534
cutwith1565
tractory1607
plough-cock1652
plough-head1733
hake1787
bridle1790
drail1811
gallows1840
plough clevis1846
1840 Jrnl. Royal Agric. Soc. 1 iii. 219 An old Berkshire plough (with a high gallows in front).
1842 C. W. Johnson Farmer's Encycl. 517/1 Gallows of a plough, a part of the plough-head, so named by farmers, from its resemblance to the common gallows. It consists of three pieces of timber, of which one is placed transversely over the heads of the other two.
f. (See quots.)
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > food > food manufacture and preparation > equipment for food preparation > [noun] > hook or frame for hanging meat
cambrelc1450
gambrel1547
butcher's hook1596
flesh-hook1596
cambren1656
shamble-hook1688
stage1715
meathook1771
progger1818
gamble1831
gallows1866
gammon1874
1866 M. A. Barker Station Life N.Z. x. 64 The ‘gallows’, a high wooden frame from which the carcases of the butchered sheep dangle.
1883 W. S. Gresley Gloss. Terms Coal Mining Gallows, a crown-tree with a prop placed underneath each end of it.
1883 W. H. Cope Gloss. Hampshire Words Gallows, a frame formed by fixing four poles, two and two, in the ground, crossed X wise, and laying another pole across, against which planks or boards are set when sawn out, to dry.
1883 Standard 7 Sept. 5/3 They attacked..the carcases on the ‘meat gallows’.
1890 ‘R. Boldrewood’ Colonial Reformer (1891) 350 The ‘gallows’ of the colonists, a rough, rude contrivance consisting of two uprights and a crosspiece for elevating slaughtered cattle.
6. ‘Suspenders’ for trousers; braces. Now dialect, Scottish and U.S., in the form gallowses, whence occasionally gallows for a single brace. Frequently in the form gallus in the U.S. So galgen in Swiss German; also Dutch (vulgar).
ΘΚΠ
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for legs > clothing for legs and lower body > [noun] > trousers > suspenders or braces for > brace
gallows1730
brace1798
the world > textiles and clothing > clothing > types or styles of clothing > clothing for legs > clothing for legs and lower body > [noun] > trousers > suspenders or braces for
suspender1810
gallows1827
trouser brace1847
1730 N. Bailey et al. Dictionarium Britannicum Gallowses, contrivances made of Cloth, and Hooks and Eyes, worn over the Shoulders by Men to keep their Breeches up.
1813 R. Southey Select. from Lett. (1856) IV. 530 He..used to have books, pen, ink and paper, breeches, gallowses, neck cloth, and rolls and butter, all upon the breakfast table at the same time.
1827 J. Barrington Personal Sketches Own Times II. 50 The ball appeared to have hit the buckle of his gallows (yclept suspenders), by which it had been partially impeded.
1830 R. Warner Lit. Recoll. I. 100 His under-clothes unsupported by those indispensable articles of decent attire denominated gallows.
1837 T. C. Haliburton Clockmaker 1st Ser. (ed. 2) xv. 141 Chock full of spring like the wire eend of a bran new pair of trowser gallusses.
1868 E. Waugh Sneck-bant ii. 38 His breeches wur nobbut fastened wi' one gallace.
1884 J. Renton in D. H. Edwards Mod. Sc. Poets 7th Ser. 51 My gallowses baith strang and guid.
1888 S. O. Addy Gloss. Words Sheffield Gallaces, braces for the trousers.
1896 S. R. Crockett Cleg Kelly xiv. 104 The tattered trousers with one ‘gallus’ displayed across the blue shirt.
1932 W. Faulkner Light in August xviii. 404 Even if I dont wear no tin star on my galluses.
1932 E. Caldwell Tobacco Road xiv. 166 He stepped into his overalls, put one arm through a gallus.
1942 O. Nash Good Intentions 145 To supply each of my pairs of pants with its own set of galluses.
1957 R. A. Heinlein Door into Summer (1967) iii. 51 Oh, I'm a gallus-snapper when I get started; you should see me wear women's hats at parties.
Compounds
C1. General attributive.
a. (In sense 1.)
(a) † gallows-knowe n. Obsolete (= knoll.)
ΚΠ
1864 A. McKay Hist. Kilmarnock (1880) 342 They were led from the town to suffer punishment at the gallows-knowe.
gallows-maker n.
ΚΠ
1604 W. Shakespeare Hamlet v. i. 43 Clow. What is he that builds stronger than eyther the Mason, the Shypwright, or the Carpenter. Other. The gallowes maker, for that out-liues a thousand tenants.
gallows-pin n.
ΚΠ
1827 Mary Hamilton in W. Motherwell Minstrelsy 320 To see the face of his Molly fair Hanging on the gallows pin.
gallows-rope n.
ΚΠ
1839 T. Carlyle Chartism iii. 18 Scramble along..with thy..plebeian gallows-ropes.
1859 C. Dickens Tale of Two Cities i. v. 19 Foreheads knitted into the likeness of the gallows-rope.
(b)
gallows-ward adv.
ΚΠ
a1894 R. L. Stevenson Weir of Hermiston (1896) iii. 49 The man..was hunted gallowsward with jeers.
b. (In sense 2.)
gallows-free adj.
ΚΠ
1682 N. Tate & J. Dryden 2nd Pt. Absalom & Achitophel 14 Let him be Gallows-Free by my consent.
gallows-worthy n. and adj.
ΚΠ
1819 Sporting Mag. 3 214 Many respectable..sinners, deliberately..commit gallows-worthy crimes.
1828 Sporting Mag. 21 226 The master..attended by one of those gallows-worthies.
c. (In sense 2b.)
gallows-mark n.
ΚΠ
?1764 J. Bush Hibernia Curiosa 7 A fellow..with a gallows-mark upon his face.
d. (In sense 5.)
gallows-frame n.
ΚΠ
1881 Trans. Amer. Inst. Mining Engineers 1880–1 9 136 Gallows-frame, a frame over a shaft, carrying the pulleys for the hoisting cables.
gallows-timber n.
ΚΠ
1849 G. C. Greenwell Gloss. Terms Coal Trade Northumberland & Durham 28 Gallows Timber, a crown-tree, with a prop placed under each end.
e. (In sense 6.)
gallows-buttons n.
ΚΠ
1836–54 A. Bywater Sheffield Dial. 162 ‘Thah mah breik all the gallos buttons off.’
C2. Special combinations.† gallow-breed n. Scottish Obsolete = gallows-bird n.† gallow-fork n. Obsolete = gallows-tree n. † gallows-strings n. Obsolete a term of reproach (cf. hang-string n. at hang- comb. form ).
ΚΠ
a1513 W. Dunbar Flyting in Poems (1998) I. 205 Lyk to ane gallow breid, Ramand and rolpand, beggand koy and ox.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > [noun] > gallows
gallowsOE
gallows-treea1000
warytre?a1200
gibbet?c1225
gallow-forka1250
forkc1275
juisec1320
forchesc1380
crossa1382
treec1425
patible1428
justice1484
potencec1500
haltera1533
turning-tree1548
potentc1550
three treesa1566
chates1567
mare1568
furel1587
bough1590
gibe1590
derrickc1600
hangrella1605
cross-tree1638
Gregorian tree1641
wooden horse1642
timber-marec1650
triple tree1651
furca1653
nubbing1673
a horse that was foaled of an acorn1678
nub1699
Tyburn tree1728
raven-stone1738
picture frame1785
crap1789
lamp-iron1790
Moll Blood1818
stifler1818
scragging-post1819
government signposta1828
leafless tree1830
shuggie-shue1836
doom-tree1837
stob1860–62
a1250 (?a1200) Ancrene Riwle (Titus) (1963) 54 Toward te galheforke [?c1225 Cleo. galcforke; c1230 Corpus gealforke]. þe wari treo of helle.
gallow-lea n. a level place on which the gallows was erected.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > [noun] > place for
gallow-leac1600
c1600 Hist. & Life James VI (1825) 82 Thair was interchaynge of thir tua preasoners maid with consent of all parties at the gallolie [1804 ed.: gallowlee] betuix Edinburgh and Leyth.
1828 W. Scott Fair Maid of Perth iii, in Chron. Canongate 2nd Ser. I. 87 Thou must be bold, Henry; and bear thyself not as if thou wert going to the gallow-lee.
gallows-apple n. slang to make gallows-apples of = to hang.
ΚΠ
1830 E. Bulwer-Lytton Paul Clifford III. vii. 126 They're resolved to make gallows apples of all such Numprels (Nonpareils) as you.
gallows-bitts n. = 5b.
ΚΠ
1815 W. Burney Falconer's New Universal Dict. Marine (rev. ed.) Gallows-bits, on flush-decks..a strong frame of oak about eight inches square, made in the form of a gallows, and fixed at the fore and main hatchway, to support the spare top-masts, yards, booms, boats, &c.
gallows-brood n. a number of young gallows-birds: see gallows-bird n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > roguery > rogue > [noun] > worthy of hanging > plural
gallows-brood1831
society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > roguery, knavery, or rascalry > [noun] > rogue, knave, or rascal > worthy of hanging > group
gallows-brood1831
1831 W. Scott Jrnl. 9 Jan. (1946) 135 A little gallow [s] brood they were and their fate will catch them.
gallows-climber n. one doomed to climb the ladder at the gallows, i.e. to be hanged.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > roguery > rogue > [noun] > worthy of hanging
wickhals?a1400
crack-rope?a1500
stretch-hemp1532
man of death1535
slip-string1546
waghalter1546
hang-rope1570
rope-ripe1570
crack-halter1573
hempstring1573
wag-string1578
stretch-halter1583
gallows1598
halter-sack1598
wag-with1611
roper1615
gallows-climber1668
hang-string1675
gallows-face1725
gallows-bird1785
society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > roguery, knavery, or rascalry > [noun] > rogue, knave, or rascal > worthy of hanging
wickhals?a1400
crack-rope?a1500
widdieneck?a1500
widdiefu?a1513
thevis neka1525
stretch-hemp1532
man of death1535
slip-string1546
waghalter1546
ropeful1567
gallows-clapper1570
hang-rope1570
rope-ripe1570
crack-halter1573
hempstring1573
wag-string1578
stretch-halter1583
gallows1598
halter-sack1598
wag-with1611
crack-hempa1616
roper1615
halter-sick1617
gallows-climber1668
hang-string1675
hempy1718
gallows-face1725
gallows-bird1785
hang-gallows1785
1668 W. Davenant Man's the Master iii. i Pattern of rogues! thou gallows climber!
gallows-face n. one who bears the mark of the gallows in his face (cf. 2b).
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > roguery > rogue > [noun] > worthy of hanging
wickhals?a1400
crack-rope?a1500
stretch-hemp1532
man of death1535
slip-string1546
waghalter1546
hang-rope1570
rope-ripe1570
crack-halter1573
hempstring1573
wag-string1578
stretch-halter1583
gallows1598
halter-sack1598
wag-with1611
roper1615
gallows-climber1668
hang-string1675
gallows-face1725
gallows-bird1785
society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > roguery, knavery, or rascalry > [noun] > rogue, knave, or rascal > worthy of hanging
wickhals?a1400
crack-rope?a1500
widdieneck?a1500
widdiefu?a1513
thevis neka1525
stretch-hemp1532
man of death1535
slip-string1546
waghalter1546
ropeful1567
gallows-clapper1570
hang-rope1570
rope-ripe1570
crack-halter1573
hempstring1573
wag-string1578
stretch-halter1583
gallows1598
halter-sack1598
wag-with1611
crack-hempa1616
roper1615
halter-sick1617
gallows-climber1668
hang-string1675
hempy1718
gallows-face1725
gallows-bird1785
hang-gallows1785
1725 A. Ramsay Gentle Shepherd iv. i. 61 I crave your Pardon! Gallows-face.
gallows-faced adj.
ΚΠ
1769 H. Brooke Fool of Quality IV. xvii. 67 Art thou there, thou rogue, thou hang~dog, thou gallows-faced vagabond?
gallows-foot n. the space immediately in front of the gallows.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > [noun] > gallows > space in front of
gallows-foot1818
1818 W. Scott Heart of Mid-Lothian iv, in Tales of my Landlord 2nd Ser. I. 109 And had just cruppin to the gallows' foot to see the hanging.
gallows-gate n. dialect (see quot.).
ΚΠ
1893 G. E. Dartnell & E. H. Goddard Gloss. Words Wilts. Gallows-gate, a light gate, consisting only of a hinged style, top-rail and one strut.
gallows-humour n. grim, ironical humour; ‘sick’ humour; cf. Galgenhumor n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > emotion > pleasure > laughter > causing laughter > [noun] > humour > specific grim
gallows-humour1901
black humour1916
Galgenhumor1948
1901 W. D. Howells in N. Amer. Rev. Nov. 710 The honors are not quite so easy in the matter of gallows-humor.
1935 Archit. Rev. 77 31/1 These may not be altogether unintentional touches of what the Germans call ‘gallows-humour’.
1958 Times 17 July 4/3 The explosive vitality, full-blooded sentiment, and gallows humour that pervade the play.
gallows-locks n. hair that hangs like gallows ropes.
ΘΚΠ
the world > life > the body > hair > types of hair > [noun] > straight
gallows-locks1809
rat's tail1899
1809 W. Irving Hist. N.Y. II. vi. ii. 85 His hair hung in straight gallows locks, about his ears.
gallows-ripe adj. ready to be hanged.
ΘΚΠ
society > authority > punishment > capital punishment > hanging > [adjective] > hanged > liable or ready to be hanged
hangable1595
gallows-ripe1837
1837 T. Carlyle French Revol. II. v. iii. 299 Jourdan himself remains unhanged; gets loose again as one not yet gallows-ripe.
gallows-rounded adj. (of hair) cut round like that of a condemned criminal.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > beautification > beautification of the person > beautification of the hair > styles of hair > [adjective] > cut short
shornc1050
polleda1325
ydoddeda1400
rounded?a1439
nottedc1440
gallows-rounded1567
stubbed1627
well-cropped1805
well-shaven1842
bobbed1918
Eton-cropped1925
crew-cropped1938
crew cut1940
urchin cut1951
1567 T. Drant tr. Horace Pistles in tr. Horace Arte of Poetrie sig. Fvij What though one..Should Cato counterfeate..in His gallowes rounded hayre.
gallows-sockets n. Printing (see quot.).
ΘΚΠ
society > communication > printing > printing machine or press > parts of printers or presses > [noun] > tympan > frame supporting > sockets of
gallows-sockets1841
1841 W. Savage Dict. Art of Printing 249 Gallows Sockets. Two pieces of wood with square mortises in them, to receive the ends of the gallows; they are nailed or screwed upon the plank behind the tympans.
gallows-stanchions n. = 5b.
ΚΠ
1675 C. Cotton Burlesque upon Burlesque 86 I, hang him, little Gallow-strings, He does a thousand of these things.
gallows-tool n. (see quot. and cf. sense 5).
ΚΠ
1884 F. J. Britten Watch & Clockmakers' Handbk. (new ed.) 110 Gallows Tool, a tool in which a pinion is placed by clockmakers when the leaves on bottoms are to be filed.
gallows-top n. = 5b.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
gallowsadj.
/ˈɡaləʊz/, /ˈɡaləs/, U.S. /ˈɡæloʊz/ 1. Fit for the gallows; deserving to be hanged; villainous, wicked. Now only dialect in weaker sense, esp. of children: Impish, wild, mischievous. gallows air = hangdog air: see hang-dog adj.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > inferiority or baseness > roguery > [adjective] > and worthy of hanging
gallowsc1425
rope-ripe1552
hangworthya1586
hempy1801
society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > roguery, knavery, or rascalry > [adjective] > worthy of hanging
gallowsc1425
widdiefu?a1513
rope-ripe1552
widdiefu1568
hangworthya1586
slip-string1629
society > morality > moral evil > wickedness > roguery, knavery, or rascalry > [adjective] > playfully or mischievously roguish
pickled1683
pickle1774
hempy1801
impish1834
natkhat1843
puckish1874
gallows1882
gamine1903
c1425 Bk. Found. St. Bartholomew's (1923) 37 This gallowus man toke hym by the skyrtis of his palle or mantyl.
1551 R. Robinson tr. T. More Vtopia i. sig. Eiii No gallous, wretche, I am not angry.
c1708 ? E. Ward Welsh-monster 33 For ev'ry Line did in it bear Such a rebellious Gallows Air, That [etc.].
1786 R. Burns Poems 32 An' plunder'd o' her hindmost groat, By gallows knaves.
1819 W. Irving Rip Van Winkle in Sketch Bk. i. 66 Wolf..sneaked about with a gallows air.
1882 J. H. Nodal & G. Milnar Gloss. Lancashire Dial. Gallows, cunning, designing full of duplicity.
1884 Upton Gloss. (at cited word) ‘'Taint as the lad's wicked, nor yet spiteful, but 'e's desp'rut gallus.’
1892 G. Hake Mem. 80 Years 44 They [King's Ward boys at Christ's Hospital circa 1820] were always considered a very gallous [sic] set, which in the school vocabulary signified ‘daring’.
2. dialect and slang. [Probably < gallows adv. Compare bloody adj. 8] As an intensive: Very great, excellent, ‘fine’, etc.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > goodness and badness > quality of being good > excellence > [adjective]
faireOE
bremea1000
goodlyOE
goodfulc1275
noblec1300
pricec1300
specialc1325
gentlec1330
fine?c1335
singulara1340
thrivena1350
thriven and throa1350
gaya1375
properc1380
before-passinga1382
daintiful1393
principala1398
gradelya1400
burlyc1400
daintyc1400
thrivingc1400
voundec1400
virtuousc1425
hathelc1440
curiousc1475
singlerc1500
beautiful1502
rare?a1534
gallant1539
eximious1547
jolly1548
egregious?c1550
jellyc1560
goodlike1562
brawc1565
of worth1576
brave?1577
surprising1580
finger-licking1584
admirablea1586
excellinga1586
ambrosial1598
sublimated1603
excellent1604
valiant1604
fabulous1609
pure1609
starryc1610
topgallant1613
lovely1614
soaringa1616
twanging1616
preclarent1623
primea1637
prestantious1638
splendid1644
sterling1647
licking1648
spankinga1666
rattling1690
tearing1693
famous1695
capital1713
yrare1737
pure and —1742
daisy1757
immense1762
elegant1764
super-extra1774
trimming1778
grand1781
gallows1789
budgeree1793
crack1793
dandy1794
first rate1799
smick-smack1802
severe1805
neat1806
swell1810
stamming1814
divine1818
great1818
slap-up1823
slapping1825
high-grade1826
supernacular1828
heavenly1831
jam-up1832
slick1833
rip-roaring1834
boss1836
lummy1838
flash1840
slap1840
tall1840
high-graded1841
awful1843
way up1843
exalting1844
hot1845
ripsnorting1846
clipping1848
stupendous1848
stunning1849
raving1850
shrewd1851
jammy1853
slashing1854
rip-staving1856
ripping1858
screaming1859
up to dick1863
nifty1865
premier cru1866
slap-bang1866
clinking1868
marvellous1868
rorty1868
terrific1871
spiffing1872
all wool and a yard wide1882
gorgeous1883
nailing1883
stellar1883
gaudy1884
fizzing1885
réussi1885
ding-dong1887
jim-dandy1888
extra-special1889
yum-yum1890
out of sight1891
outasight1893
smooth1893
corking1895
large1895
super1895
hot dog1896
to die for1898
yummy1899
deevy1900
peachy1900
hi1901
v.g.1901
v.h.c.1901
divvy1903
doozy1903
game ball1905
goodo1905
bosker1906
crackerjack1910
smashinga1911
jake1914
keen1914
posh1914
bobby-dazzling1915
juicy1916
pie on1916
jakeloo1919
snodger1919
whizz-bang1920
wicked1920
four-star1921
wow1921
Rolls-Royce1922
whizz-bang1922
wizard1922
barry1923
nummy1923
ripe1923
shrieking1926
crazy1927
righteous1930
marvy1932
cool1933
plenty1933
brahmaa1935
smoking1934
solid1935
mellow1936
groovy1937
tough1937
bottler1938
fantastic1938
readyc1938
ridge1938
super-duper1938
extraordinaire1940
rumpty1940
sharp1940
dodger1941
grouse1941
perfecto1941
pipperoo1945
real gone1946
bosting1947
supersonic1947
whizzo1948
neato1951
peachy-keen1951
ridgey-dite1953
ridgy-didge1953
top1953
whizzing1953
badass1955
wild1955
belting1956
magic1956
bitching1957
swinging1958
ridiculous1959
a treat1959
fab1961
bad-assed1962
uptight1962
diggish1963
cracker1964
marv1964
radical1964
bakgat1965
unreal1965
pearly1966
together1968
safe1970
bad1971
brilliant1971
fabby1971
schmick1972
butt-kicking1973
ripper1973
Tiffany1973
bodacious1976
rad1976
kif1978
awesome1979
death1979
killer1979
fly1980
shiok1980
stonking1980
brill1981
dope1981
to die1982
mint1982
epic1983
kicking1983
fabbo1984
mega1985
ill1986
posho1989
pukka1991
lovely jubbly1992
awesomesauce2001
nang2002
bess2006
amazeballs2009
boasty2009
daebak2009
beaut2013
1789 G. Parker Life's Painter xiv. 132 While some their patter flash'd In gallows fun and joking.
1830 E. Bulwer-Lytton Paul Clifford iii. x. 232 If so be as ow little Paul vas a vith you, it vould be a gallows comfort to you.
1888 B. Lowsley Gloss. Berks. Words & Phrases s.v. A gallus lot on 'um (a large number of them).
Compounds
gallows-looking adj. looking fit for the gallows, having a hang-dog look.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > lack of beauty > ugliness > [adjective] > having a hangdog look
gallows-looking1781
1781 J. Greenwood in Maryland Hist. Mag. (1910) 5 126 He was a tall, slim, gallows looking fellow,..with a gold laced jacket on that he had robbed from some old trooper.
1809 W. Irving Hist. N.Y. II. vi. i. 78 Their gallows-looking..myrmidons.
1842 R. H. Barham Misadventures Margate in Ingoldsby Legends 2nd Ser. 155 A little ‘gallows-looking chap’.
Derivatives
ˈgallowsness n. dialect mischief, perversity.
ΚΠ
1859 ‘G. Eliot’ Adam Bede I. i. vi. 134 I never knew your equals for gallowsness.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
gallowsadv.
/ˈɡaləʊz/, /ˈɡaləs/, U.S. /ˈɡæloʊz/ dialect and slang.
With intensive force: Extremely, very, ‘jolly’.
ΘΚΠ
the world > relative properties > quantity > greatness of quantity, amount, or degree > high or intense degree > [adverb] > extremely or exceedingly
swithlyc888
micklelyeOE
swith971
hardOE
un-i-fohOE
sevenfoldlOE
unmeet?c1225
innerlyc1330
horribly1340
too1340
sore1474
horriblec1475
vehemently1483
outrageous1487
done?a1513
exquisite1529
strangely1532
exceeding1535
exceedingly1535
angardlyc1540
angerlyc1540
choicec1540
vengeable1542
vengeably?1550
extremelya1554
monstrous1569
thrice1579
amain1587
extremea1591
damnably1598
fellc1600
tyrannically1602
exquisitely1603
damnedly1607
preciously1607
damnablea1616
impensively1620
excellingly1621
main1632
fearful1634
vengeancelya1640
upsy1650
impensely1657
twadding1657
vastly1664
hideous1667
mainly1670
consumed1707
consumedly1707
outrageously1749
damned1757
nation1771
shockingly1777
deuced1779
darn1789
darned1807
felly1807
varsal1814
awful1816
awfy1816
frightfully1816
deucedly1819
dogged1819
awfully1820
gallowsa1823
shocking1831
tremendously1832
everlasting1833
terribly1833
fearfully1835
ripping1838
poison1840
thundering1853
frighteninglyc1854
raring1854
hell's own1863
goldarned1866
goddamned1870
doggone1871
acutely1872
whooping1874
stupidly1878
everlastingly1879
hideously1882
densely1883
storming1883
good and1885
thunderingly1885
crazy1887
tremendous1887
madly1888
goldarn1892
howling1895
murderously1916
rasted1919
goddam1921
bitchingly1923
Christly1923
bitching1929
falling-down1930
lousy1932
appallingly1937
stratospherically1941
Christ almighty1945
effing1945
focking1956
dagnab1961
drop-dead1980
hella1987
totes2006
a1823 Song in Byron's Juan xi. xix. (note) Then your Blowing will wax gallows haughty, When she hears of your scaly mistake.
a1845 T. Hood Forlorn Shepherd's Compl. ix I've been so gallows honest in this Place.
1862 H. Kingsley Ravenshoe II. xv. 163 The pleece come in, and got gallus well kicked about the head.
1892 H. M. Batson Dark II. v. 100 ‘A gallus bad wench her be!’
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1898; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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n.OEadj.c1425
adv.a1823