English Explanatory Dictionary

gallow

English dictionary entry

Meanings

verb
  1. To frighten, alarm, scare, or terrify.
  2. To drive or scare away.
  3. To confuse with noise.
noun
  1. Ellipsis of gallow glyph.
name
  1. A surname.

Pronunciation

/ˈɡæləʊ/ LL-Q1860 (eng)-Vealhurl-gallow.wav

Word forms

gallow gallows gallowing gallowed gally galler gall galley

Etymology

From Middle English *galowen, *galewen, *galwen (attested in begalewen (“to frighten”)), from Old English *gǣlwan, *gēlwan (attested in āgǣlwed, āgēlwed (“stupified, astonished, disconcerted”)), of unknown origin. Alternative forms gally, galley perhaps influenced by Middle English galyen, galien, variants of galen (“to cry out, shout, make a harsh cry”), from Old English galan (“to sing, call”). Compare also Old Norse gala (“to sing, shout, crow”), Old Norse gjalla (“to yell, shout”).

Synonyms

gallow character
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