lintel
UK[ˈlɪntl]US[ˈlɪntl]
n
A horizontal support of timber, stone, concrete, or steel across the top of a door or window.
Etymology
The word 'lintel' entered Middle English from the Old French 'lintel', which itself evolved from the Vulgar Latin 'lintellus, a diminutive form of the classical Latin 'limen' (threshold). This etymological journey reveals the architectural logic: the lintel is the structural member positioned directly above the opening of a door or window, serving as the upper boundary of the entrance, closely associated with the concept of the threshold below. The shift from the general 'threshold' to the specific 'horizontal beam above' illustrates a common pattern where a word's meaning narrows to denote a key component of the original whole. Its spelling and form stabilized in English by the 14th century, solidifying its precise technical meaning in architecture.
Analysis
The word 'lintel' is a simplex word derived from Old French. Its ultimate origin is the Latin 'limen', meaning 'threshold'. The '-tel' ending is not a separable morpheme in English; it is part of the unified word form borrowed into Middle English.
Examples
The ancient stone doorway was capped by a massive granite lintel.
When replacing the window, they had to ensure the new lintel could support the wall above.
A crack had appeared in the lintel, indicating possible structural stress.