gallowglass

gallowglass

English

Alternative forms

• galloglass

Etymology

Irish gallóglach (“foreign soldier”), from Gall (“foreigner, non-Gaelic person”) + óglách (“soldier”).

Noun

gallowglass (plural gallowglasses or gallowglass)

1. (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.
   • ~1603, William Shakespeare, Macbeth, Act I, scene I:

     The multiplying villanies of nature / Do swarm upon him--from the western isles/ Of kerns and gallowglasses is supplied.

Translations

Translations

Irish: gallóglach m Manx: goal-aeglagh m

Russian: галлогла́с m (galloglás)