What is "valley piece"

Valley \Val"ley\, n.; pl. Valleys. [OE. vale, valeie, OF. val['e]e, valede, F. vall['e]e, LL. vallata, L. vallis, valles. See Vale.]

1. The space inclosed between ranges of hills or mountains; the strip of land at the bottom of the depressions intersecting a country, including usually the bed of a stream, with frequently broad alluvial plains on one or both sides of the stream. Also used figuratively.

   The valley of the shadow of death.
   --Ps. xxiii. 4.

   Sweet interchange Of hill and valley, rivers, woods, and plains.
   --Milton.

   Note: Deep and narrow valleys with abrupt sides are usually the results of erosion by water, and are called gorges, ravines, ca[~n]ons, gulches, etc.

2. (Arch.)

   1. The place of meeting of two slopes of a roof, which have their plates running in different directions, and form on the plan a re["e]ntrant angle.

   2. The depression formed by the meeting of two slopes on a flat roof.

      Valley board (Arch.), a board for the reception of the lead gutter in the valley of a roof. The valley board and lead gutter are not usual in the United States.

      Valley rafter, or Valley piece (Arch.), the rafter which supports the valley.

      Valley roof (Arch.), a roof having one or more valleys. See Valley, 2, above.