1. Estrade sur laquelle monte un condamné ŕ mort.
2. Par ext. la guillotine, la peine capitale.
A wooden frame from which condemned persons are executed by hanging; SYN. gallowstree, gibbet, gallous.
ETYM Old Fren. eschafault, eschafaut, escafaut, escadafaut, French échafaud; probably originally the same word as Eng. and French catafalque, Italian catafalco. Related to Catafalque.
1. A platform from which criminals are executed (hanged or beheaded).
2. A temporary arrangement erected around a building for convenience of workers.