noun
scaffold
SKAF-uhld
noun
1
A temporary framework of poles or tubes that workers stand on to reach high parts of a building.
"Workers erected a scaffold around the church tower for repairs."
2
A raised wooden platform historically used for executions.
"The condemned man was led up onto the scaffold before the crowd."
3
A structure or framework that provides support for something else, including figuratively.
"The teacher used simple examples as a scaffold for the harder concept."
How to Use Scaffold
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishA temporary support structure for building work, a historical execution platform, or a supportive framework in a broader sense.
Common pairings
erect a scaffold
climb a scaffold
a scaffold for learning
Word Forms
scaffolded past tense, scaffolds plural, scaffolds singular
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Etymology
From Old French terms for a viewing platform, ultimately from Vulgar Latin words describing a raised stage or stand.