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.
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.
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.
4. Naut.
A frame, like a balcony, projecting from the stern or quarter of a ship, and hence called stern galery or quarter gallry, -- seldom found in vessels built since 1850.
5. Fort.
Any communication which is covered overhead as well as at the sides. When prepared for defense, it is a defensive galery.
6. Mining
A working drift or level.
Whispering gallery. See under Whispering.
© Webster 1913.