from
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48
Gable \Ga"ble\, n. [OE. gable, gabil, F. gable, fr. LL. gabalum
front of a building, prob. of German or Scand. origin; cf.
OHG. gibil, G. giebel gable, Icel. gafl, Goth. gibla
pinnacle; perh. akin to Gr. ? head, and E. cephalic, or to G.
gabel fork, AS. geafl, E. gaffle, L. gabalus a kind of
gallows.] (Arch.)
(a) The vertical triangular portion of the end of a building,
from the level of the cornice or eaves to the ridge of
the roof. Also, a similar end when not triangular in
shape, as of a gambrel roof and the like. Hence:
(b) The end wall of a building, as distinguished from the
front or rear side.
(c) A decorative member having the shape of a triangular
gable, such as that above a Gothic arch in a doorway.
[1913 Webster]
{Bell gable}. See under {Bell}.
{Gable roof}, a double sloping roof which forms a gable at
each end.
{Gable wall}. Same as {Gable}
(b) .
{Gable window}, a window in a gable.
[1913 Webster]