échafaud

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French

Etymology

Alteration of Old French chafaud, from Late Latin *catafalicum, from Ancient Greek κατά- (katá-) + Latin fala (tower). Doublet of catafalque.

Pronunciation

  • IPA(key): /e.ʃa.fo/
  • Audio:(file)

Noun

échafaud m (plural échafauds)

  1. scaffold (elevated platform on which a criminal is executed)
    • 1829, Victor Hugo, Le Dernier Jour d’un condamné:
      Quand ma tête aura été coupée, qu’est-ce que cela me fait qu’on en coupe d’autres ? Est-ce que vraiment j’ai pu penser ces folies ? Jeter bas l’échafaud après que j’y aurai monté !
      When my head has been cut off, what do I care if others' are cut off? Could I really think such crazy thoughts? Throw down the scaffold after I'd got up!

Derived terms

Further reading