Definition of SCAFFOLD

scaffold

Plural: scaffolds

Noun

  • a platform from which criminals are executed (hanged or beheaded)
  • a temporary arrangement erected around a building for convenience of workers
  • A structure made of scaffolding for workers to stand on while working on a building.
  • An elevated platform on which a criminal is executed.
  • An elevated platform on which dead bodies are ritually disposed of, as by some Native American tribes.
  • An accumulation of adherent, partly fused material forming a shelf or dome-shaped obstruction above the tuyeres in a blast furnace.
  • A structure that provides support for some other material.

Verb

Verb Forms: scaffolded, scaffolding, scaffolds

  • To provide or support with a temporary elevated platform.
  • provide with a scaffold for support
    • "scaffold the building before painting it"
  • To set up a scaffolding; to surround a building with scaffolding.
  • To sustain; to provide support for.
  • To dispose of the bodies of the dead on a scaffold or raised platform, as by some Native American tribes.

Examples

  • He tried to SCAFFOLD his argument for a dubious word, but the dictionary rejected it.

Origin / Etymology

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”)).

Scrabble Score: 17

scaffold: valid Scrabble (US) TWL Word
scaffold: valid Scrabble Word in Merriam-Webster MW Dictionary
scaffold: valid Scrabble Word in International Collins CSW Dictionary

Words With Friends Score: 19

scaffold: valid Words With Friends Word