Link Centre Dictionary

scaffold

scaf·fold

UK/ˈskæf.əld/ US/ˈskæf.əʊld/ uncommon
noun (2) verb (1)

noun

1.

a platform from which criminals are executed (hanged or beheaded)

2.

a temporary arrangement erected around a building for convenience of workers

verb

1.

provide with a scaffold for support

  • “scaffold the building before painting it”

Origin

From Middle English scaffold, scaffalde, from Anglo-Norman schaffaut, eschaffaut, eschafal, eschaiphal, escadafaut (“platform to see a tournament”) (Modern French échafaud), from Old French es- (indicating movement away or separation) (from Latin ex- (“out, away”)) + chafaud, chafaut, chafault, caafau, caafaus, cadefaut (“scaffold for executing a criminal”), from Vulgar Latin *catafalcum (“viewing stage”), possibly from Ancient Greek κατα- (kata-, “back; against”) + Latin -falicum (from fala, phala (“wooden gallery or tower; siege tower”)).

Phrases

  • gantry scaffold
  • go to the scaffold
  • scaffold hopping
  • scaffold protein
  • send to the scaffold

Related words

Word family

Broader terms

Parts

WordNet 2.1 (Princeton University). Wiktionary (CC BY-SA). CMU Pronouncing Dictionary. WordNet 2.1 Copyright Princeton University. All rights reserved. Wiktionary content is available under the Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike Licence.