Definition of "gallows-bird" [gallows-bird]

• A person who deserves to be hanged. (noun)
• One who has been hanged. (noun)

The Century Dictionary (Public Domain)

• "Hath this gallows-bird aught remaining wherewith to buy slave-girls?"
• "Quoth Zurayk, who returned at the sound, Thy perfidy hath come to light, O gallows-bird!"
• "“He is a gallows-bird that will get on in the world,” said Etienne, careless whether the wily schemer overheard the remark or not, as he shut the door of the box."