gallows in English
- gallows⇄adj. (Archaic or Slang.)1. deserving to be hanged; villainous.
2. mischievous or wild.
Ex. gallows children.
3. fine; great. - gallows⇄adv. (Dialect or Slang.) extremely; very.
- gallows⇄expr. cheat the gallows, to escape punishment, such as the gallows, due for a capital crime.
Ex. ... the greatest thief that ever cheated the gallows (Dickens). - gallows⇄expr. gallowses, (Dialect.) galluses.
Ex. It must be very handy to have shoulder straps instead of gallowses,--besides, gallows is an ugly name (Baltimore Spirit Public Journals). - gallows⇄expr. have the gallows in one's face, to have the look of a person doomed to or deserving the gallows.
Ex. Hold him fast, the dog; he has the gallows in his face (Oliver Goldsmith). - gallows⇄gallows, noun, pl.-lowsesor-lows,adjective, adverb.
- gallows⇄noun 1. a wooden frame made of a crossbar on two upright posts, used for hanging criminals.
(SYN) gibbet.
2. punishment by hanging.
Ex. The judge sentenced the murderer to the gallows.
3. a gallows bird; a rascal.
Ex. ""N
gallows in Gujarati ગુજરાતી
gallows in Hindi हिन्दी
gallows in Nepali नेपाली
gallows in Sindhi سنڌي
gallows in Tamil தமிழ்
gallows in Telugu తెలుగు
Gallows
Part of Speech
Noun (plural)
Pronunciation
/ˈɡæləʊz/
Definitions
- A structure used for execution by hanging, typically consisting of a wooden frame with a crossbeam and a rope or noose.
- Used figuratively to refer to a situation where a person is in imminent danger or punishment, as in "a walk to the gallows."
Usage Examples
- "The condemned man was led to the gallows, where he faced his fate."
- "The term 'gallows humor' refers to humor in the face of impending death."
Etymology
The word "gallows" is derived from the Middle English word "galwes," which is believed to come from Old French "galues" or "galos," meaning a structure for hanging criminals. The root may trace back to the Latin word "gallus," meaning "cock," possibly due to the resemblance of the structure's frame to a rooster's comb or the idea of a rooster's prominence.
Synonyms
- Execution frame
- Hanging frame
- Death scaffold
Antonyms
- Freedom
- Release
- Life
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| French | Potence | /pɔ.tɑ̃s/ |
| Spanish | Horca | /ˈɔɾ.ka/ |
| German | Galgen | /ˈɡalɡən/ |
| Italian | Forca | /ˈfɔr.ka/ |
| Hindi | फांसी का फंदा (Fansi ka Fanda) | /ˈfɑːn.siː ka ˈfən.da/ |
| Chinese | 绞刑架 (Jiǎo xíng jià) | /dʒiːɑʊ˧˥ ɕiːŋ˧˥ tʃjɑ˥/ |
| Russian | Вешалка (Veshalka) | /ˈvʲɛʂəlkə/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
- British English: /ˈɡæləʊz/
- American English: /ˈɡæloʊz/
Historical Usage
The gallows has historically been used as a tool of execution, particularly during medieval and early modern times. The structure was common in Europe and the Americas for carrying out the death penalty by hanging. The use of gallows declined in the 20th century as hanging was abolished as a method of execution in many countries, though it remains in use in a few places.
Cultural Nuances
The concept of the gallows is often intertwined with ideas of justice and punishment. In popular culture, it can symbolize the end of a criminal’s life or a dramatic end to a story. The phrase "gallows humor" describes a type of dark or morbid humor, often found in extreme situations or in the face of death, reflecting society's complex relationship with death and punishment.
More Information
The gallows, a symbol of execution, played a significant role in the justice systems of many cultures throughout history. From its use as an instrument of state-sanctioned execution to its presence in literature and folklore, the gallows has come to embody themes of death, punishment, and morality. While its use has largely fallen out of favor, the term continues to appear in discussions of historical justice, legal systems, and popular culture. Its enduring legacy reflects society's ongoing contemplation of justice, life, and death.