ˈhammer-beam Arch.
A short beam projecting from the wall at the foot of a principal rafter in a roof, in place of a tie-beam.
| 1823 in P. Nicholson Pract. Build. Gloss. 1843 Ecclesiologist II. 57 The wallpieces, spandrils and hammer-beams are plain. 1876 Gwilt Encycl. Archit. Gloss., Hammer Beam, a beam acting as a tie at the feet of a pair of principal rafters, but not extending so as to connect the opposite sides. 1879 Cassell's Techn. Educ. vii. 38/1 Rows of hammer-beams, terminating in beautifully-carved figures of angels. |
| attrib. 1831 Sat. Rev. 3 Sept. 292 The hammer-beam roof..once more shows its ancient pitch. |