scaf‧fold /ˈskæfəld, -fəʊld $ -fəld, -foʊld/ noun [countable]
[Date: 1200-1300; Language: Old North French; Origin: escafaut, from Vulgar Latin catafalicum; ⇒ catafalque]

1. a structure built next to a wall, for workers to stand on while they build, repair, or paint a building

2. a raised structure which was used in the past as a place to kill criminals by hanging them or cutting off their heads

3. American English a structure that can be moved up and down to help people work on high buildings Synonym : cradle British English

[TahlilGaran] Dictionary of Contemporary English ▲