eave
UK[iːv]US[iːv]
n
The lower edge of a roof that overhangs the wall of a building.
Etymology
The word 'eave' originates from the Old English 'efes', which meant "edge of a roof" or "border". This Old English term is related to the Old High German 'obasa', meaning "porch" or "hall", suggesting a shared Germanic root referring to an overhanging structure. The modern form 'eave' emerged in Middle English, evolving from the plural form 'eaves', which was mistakenly reinterpreted as a singular noun. The core concept has remained remarkably consistent from its ancient Germanic origins, always denoting the projecting lower edge of a roof.
Analysis
The word 'eave' is a simplex word derived from the Old English word 'efes', meaning "edge of a roof". It is not productively formed from smaller, recognizable morphemes in modern English.
Examples
Rainwater dripped steadily from the broken eave.
Birds had built a nest in the corner of the eave.
The house had wide eaves that provided shade for the windows.