English
gallows tree
Gallows tree comes from Old English gealgtrēow ‘gallows tree, cross’.
- Old Englishc. 450–1150gealgtrēow‘gallows tree, cross’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500galowetre
- Englishtodaygallows tree
attested reconstructed ? uncertain or disputed
Lineage
- Old Englishc. 450–1150gealgtrēow‘gallows tree, cross’
- Middle Englishc. 1150–1500galowetre
- Englishtodaygallows tree
Every English word from Old English gealgtrēow
Today it means
noun A tree used as a gallows, a tree from which people are hanged (killed by hanging).
Language periods are conventional ranges, not dates for this word.
Etymograph / Old English gealgtrēow / gallows tree