gallowglass en · NOUN
Etymology
From Irish gallóglach (“foreign soldier”), from Gall (“foreigner, non-Gaelic person”) + óglách (“soldier”).
Meanings
-
(historical) A mercenary warrior élite among Gaelic-Norse clans residing in the Western Isles of Scotland and Scottish Highlands from the mid 13th century to the end of the 16th century.
The multiplying villanies of nature / Do swarm upon him--from the western isles/ Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied.
c. 1606 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Macbeth”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act I, scene i]:
Forms
| Spelling | Features | Labels | Source |
|---|---|---|---|
| gallowglasses | Number=Plur | lexicographic | |
| galloglass | alternative | lexicographic | |
| gallowglass | Number=Plur | lexicographic |
Translations (3)
gv goal-aeglagh (Translations) · ru галлогла́с (Translations) · ga gallóglach (Translations)