rafter

In building, one of the beams which give the slope of a roof, and to which is secured the lath or other framework upon which the slate or other outer covering is nailed.

Same as carline, 2.

In anatomy, a trabecule or trabeculum: as, the rafters of the embryonic skull.

One who is employed in rafting timber, or transporting it in rafts, as from a ship to the shore.

To form into or like rafters: as, to rafter timber.

To furnish or build with rafters: as, to rafter a house.

In agriculture, to plow, as a piece of land, by turning the grass side of the plowed furrow on a strip of ground left unplowed.

Originally, any rough and somewhat heavy piece of timber. Now, commonly, one of the timbers of a roof which are put on sloping, according to the inclination of the roof. See Illust. of queen-post.

To make into rafters, as timber.

To furnish with rafters, as a house.