Lintel
/ˈlɪn.təl/noun
A horizontal support across the top of a door or window.
Did you know?In ancient architecture, lintels were often inscribed with protective spells to ward off evil spirits from entering homes.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*leǵ-
“to lie, to lay down, to set in place.”
Latin
Latin
linter
“a boat or skiff, often referring to something that supports or carries.”
Old French
Old French
lintel
“a beam or support over a door or window.”
Middle English
Middle English
lintel
“a horizontal beam used to support a structure above it.”
Modern English
English
lintel
“a structural element spanning an opening, typically made of wood or stone.”