Hammer-beam /(-bēm`)/

Ham·mer-beam

Hammer-beam

n.
  1. A member of one description of roof truss, called hammer-beam truss, which is so framed as not to have a tiebeam at the top of the wall. Each principal has two hammer-beams, which occupy the situation, and to some extent serve the purpose, of a tiebeam. (Gothic Arch.)