gambrel

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• gambrel — hipped roof, 1851, short for gambrel roof, so called for its shape, from gambrel horse s hind leg (c.1600), earlier wooden bar to hang carcasses (1540s), perhaps from O.N.Fr. gamberel, from gambe leg, from L.L. gamba (see GAMBOL (Cf. gambol)) …   Etymology dictionary

• Gambrel — Gam brel v. t. To truss or hang up by means of a gambrel. Beau. & Fl. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• Gambrel — Gam brel, n. [OF. gambe, jambe leg, F. jambe. Cf. {Cambrel}, {Chambrel}, and see {Gambol}. n.] 1. The hind leg of a horse. [1913 Webster] 2. A stick crooked like a horse s hind leg; used by butchers in suspending slaughtered animals. [1913… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

• gambrel — [gam′brəl] n. [NormFr < OFr gambe: see GAMB] 1. the hock of a horse or similar animal 2. a frame shaped like a horse s hind leg, used by butchers for hanging carcasses ☆ 3. GAMBREL ROOF …   English World dictionary

• Gambrel — A gambrel (also known as a Dutch gambrel) is a usually symmetrical two sided roof with two slopes on each side. The upper slope is positioned at a shallow angle while the lower slope is quite steep. This design provides the advantages of a sloped …   Wikipedia

• gambrel — /gam breuhl/, n. 1. the hock of an animal, esp. of a horse. 2. Also called gambrel stick. a wood or metal device for suspending a slaughtered animal. [1540 50; < ONF gamberel, akin to F jambier legging, jambe leg] * * * …   Universalium

• gambrel — n. (in full gambrel roof) 1 Brit. a roof like a hipped roof but with gable like ends. 2 US = curb roof. Etymology: ONF gamberel f. gambier forked stick f. gambe leg (from the resemblance to the shape of a horse s hind leg) …   Useful english dictionary

• gambrel — noun Etymology: perhaps from Middle French dialect (Norman) gamberel, from gambe leg, from Late Latin gamba Date: 1547 a stick or iron for suspending slaughtered animals …   New Collegiate Dictionary

• gambrel — noun a) A bar, usually metal, with a central loop and a hook at each end, used to hang a carcass for butchering. b) a roof that has two pitches on each side, where the upper roof area has less slope than the lower roof areas …   Wiktionary

• gambrel — Synonyms and related words: ankle, bayonet legs, bowlegs, calf, cnemis, drumstick, foreleg, gamb, gigot, ham, hind leg, hock, jamb, knee, leg, limb, podite, popliteal space, scissor legs, shank, shin, stems, stumps, tarsus, trotters …   Moby Thesaurus

• gambrel — n. hock of a horse, ankle of a horse …   English contemporary dictionary