from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Gallery \Gal"ler*y\, n.; pl. {Galleries}. [F. galerie, It.
galleria, fr. LL. galeria gallery, perh. orig., a festal
hall, banquetting hall; cf. OF. galerie a rejoicing, fr.
galer to rejoice. Cf. {Gallant}, a.]
1. A long and narrow corridor, or place for walking; a
connecting passageway, as between one room and another;
also, a long hole or passage excavated by a boring or
burrowing animal.
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2. A room for the exhibition of works of art; as, a picture
gallery; hence, also, a large or important collection of
paintings, sculptures, etc.
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3. A long and narrow platform attached to one or more sides
of public hall or the interior of a church, and supported
by brackets or columns; -- sometimes intended to be
occupied by musicians or spectators, sometimes designed
merely to increase the capacity of the hall.
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4. (Naut.) A frame, like a balcony, projecting from the stern
or quarter of a ship, and hence called {stern gallery} or
{quarter gallery}, -- seldom found in vessels built since
1850.
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5. (Fort.) Any communication which is covered overhead as
well as at the sides. When prepared for defense, it is a
{defensive gallery}.
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6. (Mining) A working drift or level.
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{Whispering gallery}. See under {Whispering}.
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