French word

étai

Pronunciation

IPA/etɛ/

Meaning

  • masculine nounprop

Example

J'ai mis un étai pour que la fenêtre ne bouge pas.

I put a prop in place so that the window would not move.

Illustration for étai (prop)

More examples

Le charpentier a ajusté un étai pour maintenir la structure pendant la nuit.

The carpenter adjusted a brace to support the structure during the night.

Core concept

A temporary prop wedged beneath or against a building part to keep it steady during repairs.

Similar words

support: A platform or device designed to hold or support something.
appui: A supporting surface or place against which a body or object can rest.
cale: A small wedge or board used to hold something firm or set its height.
béquille: A support rod or fitting that keeps a bicycle or machine standing.

Definition in French

Dispositif provisoire placé sous ou contre un élément pour le soutenir lors de travaux.

Word origin

Étai continues Old French estai, a Germanic borrowing for a support, and is related to the verb étayer.

Usage tips

  • Étai is masculine, so the usual form is un étai; its plural is des étais, with the same pronunciation.

Other meanings

  • supportnoun
  • strutnoun

Related words

  • étayersupportverb

Word lists with this word