The Collaborative International Dictionary
Gallows \Gal"lows\, n. sing.; pl. Gallowsesor Gallows. [OE. galwes, pl., AS. galga, gealga, gallows, cross; akin to D. galg gallows, OS. & OHG. galgo, G. galgen, Icel. g[=a]lgi, Sw. & Dan. galge, Goth. galga a cross. Etymologically and historically considered, gallows is a noun in the plural number, but it is used as a singular, and hence is preceded by a; as, a gallows.]
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A frame from which is suspended the rope with which criminals are executed by hanging, usually consisting of two upright posts and a crossbeam on the top; also, a like frame for suspending anything.
So they hanged Haman on the gallows.
--Esther vii. 10.If I hang, I'll make a fat pair of gallows.
--Shak.O, there were desolation of gaolers and gallowses!
--Shak. A wretch who deserves the gallows. [R.]
--Shak.(Print.) The rest for the tympan when raised.
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pl. A pair of suspenders or braces. [Colloq.] Gallows bird, a person who deserves the gallows. [Colloq.] Gallows bitts (Naut.), one of two or more frames amidships on deck for supporting spare spars; -- called also gallows, gallows top, gallows frame, etc. Gallows frame.
The frame supporting the beam of an engine.
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(Naut.) Gallows bitts.
Gallows tree, or
Gallow tree, the gallows.
At length him nail['e]d on a gallow tree.
--Spenser.
WordNet
n. a person who deserves to be hanged
Usage examples of "gallows bird".
And his darling admirer Megan Breen could flash her razzle- dazzle smile as she watched him swing in the wind like a gallows bird.
This messenger, forsooth, is nothing but a gallows bird - a fellow the city marshal was going to hang, but unfortunately put it off till he should be starved enough to save rope and be throttled with a pack thread.