Gallow
/ˈɡæl.oʊ/noun
An archaic or dialectal word for a gallows or place of execution.
Did you know?The familiar word “gallows” developed from an Old English plural form, while “gallow” survives as an older singular or dialectal form.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*galgô
“A pole or structure associated with hanging”
Old English
Old English
gealga
“A gallows or execution frame”
Old English
Old English
gealgan
“The plural form of gealga, referring to gallows”
Middle English
Middle English
galwe
“A gallows or place of hanging”
14th–15th Century
English
gallow
“A gallows, especially in archaic or dialectal usage”
Modern English
English
gallow
“An obsolete or dialectal term for a gallows”