hangman's noose
Lethal neck rope
A hangman's noose is a rope loop designed to tighten under weight, historically used for execution by hanging.
The knot traditionally has thirteen coils.
The image carries strong associations with death, suicide, and—in American contexts—racist terrorism and lynching.
Displaying one is often interpreted as a threat: Someone left a hangman's noose on his locker.
Execution hanging apparatus
- scaffoldTemporary elevated work structure
- gibbetExecution display structure
- executionerOne who kills condemned
- death sentenceJudicial order of execution
capital punishment · condemned · guillotine · electric chair · lethal injection · firing squad · trapdoor · hood
Curve closing on itself
- coilWound circular arrangement
- hempIndustrial fiber crop
- ropeThick twisted fibers
- cordageRopes and twines collectively
twine · bight · strand · fiber · splice · tie · cinch · tighten
Judicial examination of claims
- verdictOfficial court decision
- judgeOne who decides
- juryLegal decision-making body
- courtTrial venue or sports surface
sentence · condemned · defendant · prosecution · capital crime · conviction · death penalty · judgment
Intense anticipatory fear
- terrorExtreme, overwhelming fear
- horrorExtreme fear or disgust
- panicUncontrollable sudden fear
- anxietyPersistent apprehensive distress
trepidation · fright · apprehension · chill · suspense · nightmare · unease · gallows humor
Extrajudicial killing by mob
- warningAlert about danger
- threatIndication of potential harm
- ominousSuggesting something bad approaches
- forebodingFearful anticipation of harm
macabre · morbid · sinister · intimidation · hate crime · racial terror · mob justice · vigilante
gallows
Execution hanging apparatus
- scaffoldTemporary elevated work structure
- gibbetExecution display structure
- executionerOne who kills condemned
death sentence · capital punishment · condemned · guillotine · electric chair · lethal injection · firing squad · trapdoor · hood · last words
loop
Curve closing on itself
cordage · twine · bight · strand · fiber · splice · tie · cinch · tighten · running knot
trial
Judicial examination of claims
court · sentence · condemned · defendant · prosecution · capital crime · conviction · death penalty · judgment · tribunal
dread
Intense anticipatory fear
anxiety · trepidation · fright · apprehension · chill · suspense · nightmare · unease · gallows humor · morbid fascination
lynching
Extrajudicial killing by mob
- warningAlert about danger
- threatIndication of potential harm
- ominousSuggesting something bad approaches
foreboding · macabre · morbid · sinister · intimidation · hate crime · racial terror · mob justice · vigilante · effigy
hangman's nooselifeline
Essential connection to safety
life preserver · safety net · rescue rope · safety harness · lifeboat
hangman's noosepardon
Official release from punishment
reprieve · clemency · amnesty · commutation · stay of execution
hangman's nooseopen arms
Welcoming body language
liberation · freedom · broken chains · release · emancipation
hangman, noose, hang, hangs, hanging, hanger, hanged, hangings, hangers