rafter Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun one of several parallel sloping beams that support a roof
    balk; baulk.
  2. noun someone who travels by raft
    raftsman; raftman.
  3. verb provide (a ceiling) with rafters

WordNet

Raft"er noun
Definitions
  1. A raftsman.
Raft"er noun
Etymology
AS. ræfter; akin to E. raft, n. See Raft.
Definitions
  1. (Arch.) Originally, any rough and somewhat heavy piece of timber. Now, commonly, one of the timbers of a roof which are put on sloping, according to the inclination of the roof. See Illust. of Queen-post.
    [Courtesy] oft is sooner found in lowly sheds, With smoky rafters, than in tapestry halls. Milton.
Raft"er transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To make into rafters, as timber.
  2. To furnish with rafters, as a house.
  3. (Agric.) To plow so as to turn the grass side of each furrow upon an unplowed ridge; to ridge. Eng.

Webster 1913