What is "gable roof"

Gable \Ga"ble\, n. [OE. gable, gabil, F. gable, fr. LL. gabalum front of a building, prob. of German or Scand. origin; cf. OHG. gibil, G. giebel gable, Icel. gafl, Goth. gibla pinnacle; perh. akin to Gr. ? head, and E. cephalic, or to G. gabel fork, AS. geafl, E. gaffle, L. gabalus a kind of gallows.] (Arch.)

1. The vertical triangular portion of the end of a building, from the level of the cornice or eaves to the ridge of the roof. Also, a similar end when not triangular in shape, as of a gambrel roof and the like. Hence:

2. The end wall of a building, as distinguished from the front or rear side.

3. A decorative member having the shape of a triangular gable, such as that above a Gothic arch in a doorway.

   Bell gable. See under Bell.

   Gable roof, a double sloping roof which forms a gable at each end.

   Gable wall. Same as Gable (b) .

   Gable window, a window in a gable.

n. (context roofing English) a single-ridge roof that terminates at gable ends.

n. a double sloping roof with a ridge and gables at each end [syn: saddle roof, saddleback, saddleback roof]