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Gallows vs Gallous - What's the difference?

gallows | gallous |

As a noun gallows

is wooden framework on which persons are put to death by hanging.

As a verb gallows

is (gallow).

As an adjective gallous is

fit to be hanged; wicked; mischievous.

gallows

English

(wikipedia gallows)

Etymology 1

From (etyl) (m), (m), (m), (m), from (etyl) .

Noun

(en-noun)
  • Wooden framework on which persons are put to death by hanging.
  • * {{quote-book
    • , year = 1728 , chapter = The Atheist, or, the Second Part of the Solider's Fortune , title = The Works of Mr. Thomas Otway , volume = 2 , first = Thomas , last = Otway , authorlink = Thomas Otway , location = London , page = 37 , url = http://books.google.com/books?id=yF1AAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA37 , passage = No, Sir, 'tis fear of Hanging. Who would not ?teal, or do Murder, every time his Fingers itch'd at it, were it not for fear of the Gallows ? }}
  • (colloquial, obsolete) A wretch who deserves to be hanged.
  • * 1590 , , V. ii. 12:
    • Ay, and a shrewd unhappy gallows too. / You'll ne'er be friends with him: a' kill'd your sister.
  • (printing, obsolete) The rest for the tympan when raised.
  • (colloquial, obsolete) suspenders; braces
    • Synonyms
    * gallows tree, gallow tree, hanging tree, gibbet
    Derived terms
    * gallows bird, gallows humor, gallous

    Etymology 2

    Verb

    (head)
  • (gallow)

    • gallous

    English

    Adjective

    (head)
  • fit to be hanged; wicked; mischievous

    • Alternative forms

    * gallus