gallows Copy link Outline 1. perh. pătĭbŭlum (strictly a fork-shaped instrument of punishment, to which base defaulters were fastened)2. furca (like preced.)3. crux, crŭcis, f. (which did not materially differ from the preceding)4. by meton, suspendium • gallows: 1. perh. pătĭbŭlum (strictly a fork-shaped instrument of punishment, to which base defaulters were fastened): the term was freq. applied to the cross of Christ in Med. Lat.: cf. Cic. Verr. 4, 41: or, 2. furca (like preced.): sentence to the g., damnatio ad furcam, Callist. Dig. 48, 19, 27, init.: to fasten on the gallows, furcâ figere, Dig. l. c. § 15: in furca suspendere, Ulp. Dig. 48, 13, 6, init.: v. to hang. 3. crux, crŭcis, f. (which did not materially differ from the preceding): v. cross. (N.B.--The ancient Romans used for the same purpose a barren tree: thou shalt cover his head and hang him upon a g., caput obnubito, infelici arbori reste suspendito, Liv. 1, 26.) 4. by meton, suspendium: may the gods bring me to the g., utinam me divi adaxint (= adigant) ad suspendium, Pl. Aul. 1, 1, 11: he died on the g., *suspendio interfectus est: v. hanging.