gallowaynag

A galloway. *gal'-low-gla , *găl-lō-gla , s. [Irish gallo glach a heavy-armed soldier, from giolla a man servant, a gillie, and gleac - aim to wrestle.] The name given to a heavy-armed foot-soldier in Ireland and the western islands. It is opposed to kerne (q. v.). "A pui ant and mighty power Of gallowgla es and stout kernes, Is marching hitherward in proud array." Shakesp.: Henry IV ., Pt . II ., iv. 9. a cro , gal-lōws, *gal-ewes, *gal-owes, *gal-os, *gal-ous, *galwes, s . [ A.S.galga , gealga a cro , a gibbet; cogn. with Icel. galgia gallows; Dan. & Sw. galge ; Dut. galg ; Goth. galga = a cro ; Ger. galgen a gallows. Properly a plural form, but the true singular gallow is not now used. A double plural form is even found, as gallowses .] I. Ordinary Language: 1. An instrument or apparatus on which criminals are executed by hanging. It is usually constructed of two posts with a cro -beam on the top, from which the criminal is hanged by a rope pa ing round his neck. "No Indian prince has to his palace More followers than a thief to the gallows ." Butler: Hudíbras , pt. ii., c. i. *3. One of a pair of suspenders used for supporting the trousers. (In this sense it has the plural gallowses .) "Those indispensable articles of decent attire denomi nated gallows ."-Warner: Literary Recollections , i. 100. II. Technically : 1. Agric .: The central core of four Indian cornstalks interlaced diagonally, and bound at the intersection, forming a stool or support for cut corn, which is bound around it to form a shock. 2. Print.: The rest for the tympan when open. 3. Steam-Eng.: The frame supporting the beam of a steam-engine.