Gambrel

• POS: Noun
• HYPHEN: gam=brel

CIDE DICTIONARY

Gambrel, n. [OF. gambe, jambe leg, F. jambe. Cf. Cambrel, Chambrel, and see Gambol. n.].

•  The hind leg of a horse.  [1913 Webster]
•  A stick crooked like a horse's hind leg; -- used by butchers in suspending slaughtered animals.  [1913 Webster]

Gambrel roof (Arch.), a curb roof having the same section in all parts, with a lower steeper slope and an upper and flatter one, so that each gable is pentagonal in form.

Gambrel, v. t. 

 To truss or hang up by means of a gambrel.  Beau. & Fl.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

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)

THESAURUS

Gambrel

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