hangman
hangman — noun
1. a person employed to carry out death sentences by placing a rope around a prison
a person employed to carry out death sentences by placing a rope around a prisoner's neck and suspending their body until death
The hangman arrived before sunrise to inspect the gallows and test the trapdoor.
collocation: inspect the gallows / test the trapdoor
In medieval times, the hangman was often a feared figure in the local community.
passive: was often feared
Eli read about a hangman who refused to carry out an execution on moral grounds.
The village hangman hid his identity to avoid conflict with the families of the condemned.
- executioner
any person who carries out a death sentence, not only by hanging but also by methods such as beheading or lethal injection
- headsman
a historical term for an executioner who beheaded people, not used for hangings
用法筆記
The word is used less frequently today because many countries have abolished capital punishment by hanging. In historical contexts, the hangman was also sometimes called the 'executioner', though that term covers other methods of execution too.
2. a word-guessing pastime: one participant selects a secret word, and the opposing
a word-guessing pastime: one participant selects a secret word, and the opposing player must figure it out by calling out letters one by one. Each wrong guess adds a stroke to a gallows drawing. The guessing player loses if the sketch is finished before they solve the word.
The children played hangman on a napkin while waiting for their food at the restaurant.
collocation: played hangman
Mizuki won the hangman game by guessing the last letter before the drawing was finished.
collocation: won the hangman game
Faisal chose 'penguin' for hangman; Nellie guessed 'Z' and he drew the left leg.
Hugo and his classmates played hangman to practise English vocabulary before their weekly quiz.
The teacher drew the hangman grid on the board and let two students take turns.
- word game
a broader category that includes crosswords, anagrams, Scrabble, and other letter-based puzzles, not only hangman
- guessing game
any game in which players try to find an answer through trial and error, not necessarily involving letters
用法筆記
Hangman is commonly played in classrooms as a low-pressure way to practise spelling and vocabulary. Digital versions are also widely available as mobile apps and web games.