From The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 [gcide]:
Gallows \Gal"lows\, n. sing.; pl. {Gallowses}or {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.]
1. 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.
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So they hanged Haman on the gallows. --Esther vii.
10.
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If I hang, I'll make a fat pair of gallows. --Shak.
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O, there were desolation of gaolers and gallowses!
--Shak.
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2. A wretch who deserves the gallows. [R.] --Shak.
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3. (Print.) The rest for the tympan when raised.
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4. pl. A pair of suspenders or braces. [Colloq.]
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{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}.
(a) The frame supporting the beam of an engine.
(b) (Naut.) Gallows bitts.
{Gallows tree}, or
{Gallow tree}, the gallows.
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At length him nail['e]d on a gallow tree. --Spenser.
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From WordNet (r) 3.0 (2006) [wn]:
gallows
n 1: an instrument of execution consisting of a wooden frame
from which a condemned person is executed by hanging
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