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principal rafter

American  

noun

  1. a diagonal member of a roof principal, usually forming part of a truss and supporting the purlins on which the common rafters rest.

Etymology

Origin of principal rafter

First recorded in 1655–65

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

Two sketches are shown at the joining of the tie beam and the principal rafter.

From Woodwork Joints How they are Set Out, How Made and Where Used. by Fairham, William

A, B, tie beam; C, C, queen posts; D, straining piece; E, principal rafter; F, rafter.

From Carpentry for Boys In a Simple Language, Including Chapters on Drawing, Laying Out Work, Designing and Architecture With 250 Original Illustrations by Zerbe, James Slough

Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.