gallows

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gal·lows / ˈgalōz/ • pl. n. [usu. treated as sing.] a structure, typically of two uprights and a crosspiece, for the hanging of criminals. ∎  (the gallows) execution by hanging: saved from the gallows by a last-minute reprieve.ORIGIN: Old English galga, gealga, of Germanic origin; related to Dutch galg and German Galgen; reinforced in Middle English by Old Norse gálgi.

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