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Glite Dictionary
rooftree

rooftree

9.9
A beam along the top ridge of a roof that supports the rafters
  • noun
  • /ˈruːftriː/
  • Archaic
translation icon : viga de cumbrera
  • The ancient cottage still had its original rooftree in place, supporting the entire roof structure.

Examples

  • The rooftree was installed last week.

  • Many rooftrees are made from sturdy wood.

  • During the restoration, workers discovered that the rooftree was infested with termites and needed replacement.

  • From the attic window, you could see sunlight streaming in where the rooftree joined the rafters.

  • The carpenters installed the rooftree to ensure the rafters were well supported.

  • As the builders reached the top of the house, they carefully placed the rooftree along the ridge.

  • The architect explained how the rooftree plays a crucial role in maintaining the roof's structure.

Synonyms

beam
vsrooftree
104 2.7

A long strong piece of wood, metal, or concrete that supports part of a building

is specifically the longitudinal ridge support that holds rafter upper ends
ridgepole
vsrooftree
  • Specialized
1 9.9

A long horizontal beam at the top of a roof where the rafters meet

is the main beam laid along the ridge supporting rafter upper ends
roof tree
vsrooftree
  • Specialized
9.6

A strong beam that supports a roof or a tree growing high above a building

is used only for the structural ridge beam, not for a living tree
ridgeboard
vsrooftree
  • Specialized
8.6

A horizontal board at the top of a roof where the sloping beams meet

is a heavier beam that actually supports rafter upper ends

Surface Forms

rooftree singular
rooftrees plural

Morphology

rooftree = roof + tree (semi-transparent) = roof + tree

The components 'roof' and 'tree' are formally clear, but 'tree' here carries an archaic/technical sense 'timber/beam' so the specific technical meaning may not be obvious to a general learner.

Etymology

The word rooftree is the simple combination of roof and tree, where tree once meant 'timber' or a large wooden beam rather than a living plant. So a rooftree is the main beam along the top of a roof that supports the upper ends of the rafters.