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REH Word of the Week: gibbet

gibbet

noun
1. a gallows with a projecting arm at the top, from which the bodies of criminals were formerly hung in chains and left suspended after execution.

verb (used with object)
2. to hang on a gibbet.
3. to put to death by hanging on a gibbet.
4. to hold up to public scorn.

[Origin: 1175-1225; ME gibet (earlier, staff or cudgel), dim. of gibe, staff, club]

HOWARD’S USAGE:

“In any event you hang, either from my yard-arm or from a gibbet on the Port Royal wharves.”

[from “Black Vulmea’s Vengeance”]