I. ˈskafəld also -aˌfōld noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English, from Old North French escafaut, modification (perhaps influenced by assumed Old North French escache stilt) of (assumed) Vulgar Latin catafalicum — more at skate , catafalque
1.
a.
(1) : a usually temporary or movable platform (as a plank) supported by a wood or metal framework, jacks, poles, or brackets or suspended (as by ropes and tackle) and used by workmen (as bricklayers, painters, or miners) to stand or sit on and to support tools and material when working at considerable heights above floor or ground
(2) : such a platform together with the structure that supports it — compare trestle
b.
(1) : a platform on which a criminal stands for execution especially by hanging or beheading
(2) : the penalty of death by execution especially by hanging or beheading ; broadly : capital punishment — used with the
condemned to the scaffold
c. archaic : a usually temporary stand on which a public spectacle (as a dramatic performance) is staged
d. obsolete : a stand for spectators at a public spectacle (as a tournament or dramatic performance)
e. chiefly New England : a barn loft for storing hay or grain : hayloft
f. : any platform at a considerable height above ground or floor level
scaffolds were used by some American Indians to dispose of the dead
on the scaffold the fishermen kept dip nets for the smaller trout — Julian Dana
g. : a supporting framework
scaffold of a ski slide
plantation bell hanging in a scaffold separate and apart from the church — American Guide Series: Louisiana
2. : an accumulation of adherent partly fused material forming an obstruction above the tuyeres in a blast furnace
3. : framework 4 ; also : scaffold branch
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
1.
a. : to place on or support by means of a scaffold
b. : to suspend (fresh-cut tobacco plants) upon a portable rack to wilt before hanging in the curing barn
2.
a. : to furnish with a scaffold or scaffolding : erect scaffolding in front of or against
the opera's scaffolded shell — Leigh White
b. : to support (as an argument) by scaffolding
book could well be scaffolded more strongly with explanation and comment — Roland Mathias
intransitive verb
: to form a scaffold especially in smelting