rafter

¹ American  

[raf-ter, rahf-] / ˈræf tər, ˈrɑf- /

noun

1. any of a series of timbers or the like, usually having a pronounced slope, for supporting the sheathing and covering of a roof.

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verb (used with object)

1. British Dialect. to plow (a field) so that the soil of a furrow is pushed over onto an unplowed adjacent strip.

rafter ² American  

[raf-ter, rahf-] / ˈræf tər, ˈrɑf- /

noun

1. a person who engages in the sport or pastime of rafting.

2. a person who travels on a raft, especially to flee a country.

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rafter ³ American  

[raf-ter, rahf-] / ˈræf tər, ˈrɑf- /

noun

1. a flock, especially of turkeys.

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rafter British  

/ ˈrɑːftə /

noun

1. any one of a set of sloping beams that form the framework of a roof

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Other Word Forms

• raftered adjective
• unraftered adjective

Etymology

Origin of rafter¹

First recorded before 900; Middle English rafter, raftre, ræfter “beam, pole, rafter,” Old English ræfter; cognate with Middle Dutch rachter, rafter “plank, beam,” Middle Low German rafter, rachter, Old Norse raptr “log” (in plural, “rafters”); See raft ¹

Origin of rafter¹

First recorded in 1740–45; raft ¹ ( def. ) + -er ¹ ( def. )

Origin of rafter¹

raft ² + -er ¹

Example Sentences

Taking a step back, I was able to shoot through the ceiling rafters.

From BBC

The crowd cheered Lim, who is 72 next month, to the rafters when he won the first set but De Graaf appeared to have the momentum after he levelled the match.

From BBC

In February, the former Gamecock standout saw her alma mater South Carolina hang her college jersey in the rafters.

From Los Angeles Times

“It may be a lost bird caught in the rafters,” Penelope said, although she too feared something worse.

From Literature

As the rafters rocked, the pints spilled and a joyful giddiness filled the Allianz Stadium bowl, it felt impossible that this team would follow the same trajectory.

From BBC

Related Words

• beam