Gibbet
noun
A frame that was used in the past for executing people by hanging them.
The criminal was hanged from the gibbet in the town square.
Often appears as...
- hang from a gibbet
- erect a gibbet
Usage tips
Historical
noun
Used in literature to describe a place of public execution or display of the dead as a warning.
The bodies were left hanging on gibbets as a grim warning to other potential rebels.
Often appears as...
- on the gibbet
- under the gibbet
Usage tips
Literary
noun
In the field of heraldry, it's a representation of the gallows used as a symbol or crest.
Their family crest featured a gibbet, a grim reminder of their past.
Often appears as...
- gibbet on the crest
- heraldic gibbet
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To put to death by hanging on a gibbet.
In the dark ages, those found guilty of treason were often gibbeted.
Often appears as...
- gibbet the traitor
- be gibbeted
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
noun
A frame that was used in the past for executing people by hanging them.
The criminal was hanged from the gibbet in the town square.
Often appears as...
- hang from a gibbet
- erect a gibbet
Usage tips
Historical
noun
Used in literature to describe a place of public execution or display of the dead as a warning.
The bodies were left hanging on gibbets as a grim warning to other potential rebels.
Often appears as...
- on the gibbet
- under the gibbet
Usage tips
Literary
noun
In the field of heraldry, it's a representation of the gallows used as a symbol or crest.
Their family crest featured a gibbet, a grim reminder of their past.
Often appears as...
- gibbet on the crest
- heraldic gibbet
Usage tips
Technical
verb
To put to death by hanging on a gibbet.
In the dark ages, those found guilty of treason were often gibbeted.
Often appears as...
- gibbet the traitor
- be gibbeted
Usage tips
Formal, Disapproving
Definition 1 of 4
Pro Tip 1/3Historic Horror
Conveys a sense of fear as it's associated with cruel historical punishments.
The old tale described the pirate swinging from the gibbet at dawn.
Pro Tip 2/3Obsolete Term
Rarely used today; more commonly found in historical contexts or literature.
We visited the museum and saw a reconstruction of a medieval gibbet.
Pro Tip 3/3Morbid Attraction
Sometimes used to evoke a grim fascination with the macabre aspects of history.
Ghost tours often feature the notorious gibbet hill where thieves met their end.
Pro Tip 1/3Historic Horror
Conveys a sense of fear as it's associated with cruel historical punishments.
The old tale described the pirate swinging from the gibbet at dawn.
Pro Tip 2/3Obsolete Term
Rarely used today; more commonly found in historical contexts or literature.
We visited the museum and saw a reconstruction of a medieval gibbet.
Pro Tip 3/3Morbid Attraction
Sometimes used to evoke a grim fascination with the macabre aspects of history.
Ghost tours often feature the notorious gibbet hill where thieves met their end.
Pro Tip 1/3Historic Horror
Conveys a sense of fear as it's associated with cruel historical punishments.
The old tale described the pirate swinging from the gibbet at dawn.
Pro Tip 2/3Obsolete Term
Rarely used today; more commonly found in historical contexts or literature.
We visited the museum and saw a reconstruction of a medieval gibbet.
Pro Tip 3/3Morbid Attraction
Sometimes used to evoke a grim fascination with the macabre aspects of history.
Ghost tours often feature the notorious gibbet hill where thieves met their end.
Never forget "Gibbet"
Humans forget easily. That's why you should download WordUp: Smart reminders, word games, AI practice, and much more!
Quote examples
Alice Morse Earle
American Historian
The pillory and stocks, the gibbet, and even the whipping-post, have seen many a noble victim, many a martyr. But I cannot think any save the most ignoble criminals ever sat in a ducking-stool.
Quote examples
Edward Young
English Poet
One to destroy, is murder by the law; and gibbets keep the lifted hand in awe; to murder thousands, takes a specious name, 'War's glorious art', and gives immortal fame.
Quote examples
Alice Morse Earle
American Historian
The pillory and stocks, the gibbet, and even the whipping-post, have seen many a noble victim, many a martyr. But I cannot think any save the most ignoble criminals ever sat in a ducking-stool.
Quote examples
Edward Young
English Poet
One to destroy, is murder by the law; and gibbets keep the lifted hand in awe; to murder thousands, takes a specious name, 'War's glorious art', and gives immortal fame.
Example 1 of 2
WordUp Chrome Extension
As you browse the web instantly look up words you don’t know.
Get Chrome Extension