gallow

== English == === Alternative forms === gally, galler, gall (dialectal) galley (obsolete) === 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”). === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈɡæləʊ/ Rhymes: -æləʊ === Verb === gallow (third-person singular simple present gallows, present participle gallowing, simple past and past participle gallowed) (now chiefly dialectal, transitive) To frighten, alarm, scare, or terrify. (now chiefly dialectal, transitive) To drive or scare away. (now chiefly dialectal, transitive) To confuse with noise. === Anagrams === gwolla