Etymology Map
Back to all words

Gibbet

3 stages from Frankish to English.

Today it means a gallows

Where does the word "gibbet" come from? It comes from Frankish gibet, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
gibet
Frankish · ancient
"staff, club"
a Frankish word, possibly for a forked stick
2
Stage 2 of 3
gibet
Old French · medieval
"gallows"
a gallows for hanging
3
Stage 3 of 3
gibbet
English · 1200s
"gallows"
bodies were left on gibbets as warnings
Drag to pan · scroll to zoom
Read the full story

Gibbet’s story begins in Frankish: gibet meant “staff, club.” A Frankish word, possibly for a forked stick. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as gibet. A gallows for hanging. It reached English by 1200s as gibbet. Bodies were left on gibbets as warnings. Today, gibbet means a gallows.