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gallows

Gallows (noun) – Meaning, Examples & Etymology

noun

IPA:

/ˈɡaləʊz/

What does gallows mean?

A wooden structure used for the execution of criminals by hanging.
"The gallows were set up in the town square as a warning to others."

Detailed Meaning of Gallows

It consists of a tall vertical post, often made of wood or metal, with a horizontal crossbar near the top. A noose is then placed around the neck of the convicted criminal, and the crossbar is used to hoist the person up into the air until they suffocate from lack of oxygen. Gallows were commonly used as a form of capital punishment in many countries throughout history, particularly in Europe and North America. In some cases, gallows were also used as a form of public punishment and as a warning to others who might commit similar crimes. The use of gallows as a method of execution has been widely criticized for its inhumanity and has been abolished in many countries around the world.

Example Sentences for Gallows

1. The old gallows stood as a grim reminder of the past.
2. The condemned man walked to the gallows with a heavy heart.
3. The executioner prepared the gallows for the hanging.
4. A crowd gathered to witness the hanging at the gallows.
5. The eerie creaking of the gallows sent shivers down spines.
6. The outlaw met his fate on the gallows at dawn.

Origin and Etymology of Gallows

The noun 'gallows' has a historical and somewhat grim etymology. It can be traced back to the Old English word 'galga,' which referred to a wooden frame or structure used for hanging criminals as a method of execution. The exact origins of 'galga' are not entirely clear, but it is believed to be related to Old Norse and Proto-Germanic roots. The term highlights the central function of this structure, which was to serve as a place of execution by hanging, and it has been a symbol of punishment and death throughout history. While modern methods of execution have evolved, the etymology of 'gallows' serves as a reminder of the historical practices associated with capital punishment and the significant role this structure played in them.

Quiz Question - Test Your Understanding

Find the correct meaning of the noun gallows:

scaffold

liberty

release

freedom

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Correct!

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More Usage Examples of Gallows

1. The gallows were a symbol of justice in the Old West.
2. The authorities used the gallows for public executions.
3. The prisoner's last moments were spent on the gallows.
4. The gallows were dismantled after the abolition of hanging.
5. The history museum displayed a replica of the gallows.
6. The townsfolk were divided over the use of the gallows.
7. The hanging on the gallows was a gruesome spectacle.
8. The condemned man's family mourned his death at the gallows.
9. The gallows were a macabre tourist attraction.
10. The gallows were a symbol of a harsh legal system.
11. The last words spoken on the gallows were haunting.
12. The gallows were a place of both fear and fascination.
13. The condemned man faced his destiny at the gallows.
14. The gallows were a testament to the brutality of the past.
15. The criminal was hanged from the gallows as punishment for his crimes.
16. He stood on the gallows, waiting for the noose to be placed around his neck.
17. The sight of the gallows filled her with dread and she couldn't bear to watch.
18. The condemned man climbed the steps to the gallows with a heavy heart.
19. The gallows were a symbol of the harsh justice of the time.
20. He avoided the gallows by confessing to his crime and cooperating with the authorities.
21. The gallows were used to execute prisoners in the medieval times.
22. He was sentenced to death by hanging on the gallows.
23. The gallows were a common sight in the old western towns.
24. He was taken to the gallows for his crime.
25. The gallows were dismantled and no longer used after the death penalty was abolished.