Main Entry:

gal·lery

Pronunciation:

\ˈga-lə-rē, ˈgal-rē\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural gal·ler·ies

Etymology:

Middle English galerie, from Medieval Latin galeria, probably alteration of galilaea galilee

Date:

15th century

1 a: a roofed promenade : colonnade b: corridor 12 a: an outdoor balcony bSouthern & Midland : porch, veranda c: a platform at the quarters or stern of a ship3 a: a long and narrow passage, apartment, or corridor b: a subterranean passageway in a cave or military mining system ; also : a working drift or level in mining c: an underground passage made by a mole or ant or a passage made in wood by an insect (as a beetle)4 a: a room or building devoted to the exhibition of works of art b: an institution or business exhibiting or dealing in works of art c: collection, aggregation <the rich gallery of characters in this novel — H. S. Canby>5 a: a structure projecting from one or more interior walls (as of an auditorium or church) to accommodate additional people ; especially : the highest balcony in a theater commonly having the cheapest seats b: the part of a theater audience seated in the top gallery c: the undiscriminating general public d: the spectators at a sporting event (as a tennis or golf match)6: a small ornamental barrier or railing (as along the edge of a table or shelf)7: a photographer's studio

— gal·ler·ied \-rēd\ adjective

— gal·lery·ite \-rē-ˌīt\ noun