hangman

noun

Etymology: Inherited from Middle English hangman, hongman, hangeman, equivalent to hang + -man.

1. An executioner responsible for hanging criminals.

   “One cried, "God bless us!" and "Amen" the other, As they had seen me with these hangman's hands.”

2. Someone responsible for hanging pictures and other artworks in a gallery, museum etc.

   “I also asked some Royal Academicians to view it, viz. Northcote, Cosway, &c. who approved of it much: it is well composed, and beautifully coloured; but the hangmen at the Exhibition have not hung it in a conspicuous situation; it is placed in an ante-room, and pretty high […].”

3. A guessing game where one has to guess the word an opponent is thinking of by guessing one letter at a time, and involving the gradual drawing of a stick figure hanging from the gallows.