From Longman Dictionary of Contemporary EnglishRelated topics: Constructionscaffoldscaf‧fold /ˈskæfəld, -fəʊld $ -fəld, -foʊld/ noun [countable]1TBCa structure built next to a wall, for workers to stand on while they build, repair, or paint a building2SCCa raised structure which was used in the past as a place to killcriminals by hanging them or cutting off their heads3American EnglishTBC a structure that can be moved up and down to help people work on high buildingsSYN cradle British EnglishExamples from the Corpusscaffold• Provincialguillotines and scaffolds were dismantled and those not exhibited in museums were broken up and scrapped.• He squeezed in time at the typewriter between the high-risescaffolds and his duties as husband and father of two sons.• When she did not, a sonpleaded for her, so the bemused authorities took her from the scaffold.• Two of the archerspicked me up under the armpits and hustled me down the steps of the scaffold.• On seeing the scaffold du Barry lost all control.• Spacing the scaffolds opens up the tree so light can penetrate, which encouragesfruitproduction.• Weights can be tied to the scaffolds to pull the branches down to create these angles.Originscaffold(1200-1300)Old North Frenchescafaut, from Vulgar Latincatafalicum; → CATAFALQUE