Ridgepole
/ˈrɪdʒˌpoʊl/noun
A horizontal beam running along the top of a roof where the rafters meet.
Did you know?Ridgepole is a transparent compound, but its first half comes from Old English hrycg, the same ancient root behind modern English ridge, while pole goes back to a word for a wooden post or stake.
Etymological Timeline
Old English
OE
hrycg
“ridge; back; raised line”
Old English
OE
pāl
“pole; stake; post”
Middle English
ME
riggepol / ridgepol
“a pole forming the ridge of a roof”
16th Century
English
ridgepole
“the horizontal roof beam at the apex of a roof”
Modern English
English
ridgepole
“the beam or timber running along the top of a roof where rafters meet”