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gable

Flag: gbEnglishMerriam-Webster Dictionary

ga​ble
noun
ga·​ble
ˈgā-bəl

Definition

  • the vertical triangular end of a building from cornice or eaves to ridge
    the similar end of a gambrel roof
    the end wall of a building
  • a triangular part or structure
Illustration
1 gable 1a
Other Words
  • ga​bled ˈgā-bəld adjective
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
History and Etymology
Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin gabulus, gabulum "gibbet" (borrowed from Celtic *gablo- "fork," whence Old Irish gabul "fork, gibbet, groin," Welsh gafl "fork, groin"), perhaps influenced in sense by northern Middle English and Scots gavel "triangular end of a building," borrowed from Old Norse gafl

NOTE: The word gable, attested only in Anglo-French and the French of Normandy, is unlikely to be a loan from Old Norse, which would have resulted in *gavle. Old Norse gafl appears to correspond to Old High German gibil "gable," Middle Dutch and Middle Low German gevel, and Gothic gibla, though the divergence in vocalism is unexplained.


ga​ble
noun
ga·​ble
ˈgā-bəl

Definition

  • the vertical triangular end of a building from cornice or eaves to ridge
    the similar end of a gambrel roof
    the end wall of a building
  • a triangular part or structure
Illustration
1 gable 1a
Other Words
  • ga​bled ˈgā-bəld adjective
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
History and Etymology
Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin gabulus, gabulum "gibbet" (borrowed from Celtic *gablo- "fork," whence Old Irish gabul "fork, gibbet, groin," Welsh gafl "fork, groin"), perhaps influenced in sense by northern Middle English and Scots gavel "triangular end of a building," borrowed from Old Norse gafl

NOTE: The word gable, attested only in Anglo-French and the French of Normandy, is unlikely to be a loan from Old Norse, which would have resulted in *gavle. Old Norse gafl appears to correspond to Old High German gibil "gable," Middle Dutch and Middle Low German gevel, and Gothic gibla, though the divergence in vocalism is unexplained.


ga​ble
noun
ga·​ble
ˈgā-bəl

Definition

  • the vertical triangular end of a building from cornice or eaves to ridge
    the similar end of a gambrel roof
    the end wall of a building
  • a triangular part or structure
Illustration
1 gable 1a
Other Words
  • ga​bled ˈgā-bəld adjective
First Known Use
15th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a
History and Etymology
Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, going back to Latin gabulus, gabulum "gibbet" (borrowed from Celtic *gablo- "fork," whence Old Irish gabul "fork, gibbet, groin," Welsh gafl "fork, groin"), perhaps influenced in sense by northern Middle English and Scots gavel "triangular end of a building," borrowed from Old Norse gafl

NOTE: The word gable, attested only in Anglo-French and the French of Normandy, is unlikely to be a loan from Old Norse, which would have resulted in *gavle. Old Norse gafl appears to correspond to Old High German gibil "gable," Middle Dutch and Middle Low German gevel, and Gothic gibla, though the divergence in vocalism is unexplained.