gambrel

noun

gam·brel | \ ˈgam-brəl

\

Definition of gambrel

: a stick or iron for suspending slaughtered animals

History and Etymology for gambrel

probably borrowed from Middle French (Norman) *gamberel, *gambereau (attested only in plural gambereaulx) "kind of pole or fork used by butchers," apparently re-formation or derivative of gambier, jambier "piece of wood used to keep the legs of a slaughtered animal separate," from gambe, jambe "leg" + -ier -er entry 2 — more at jamb

Keep scrolling for more

Learn More about gambrel

Dictionary Entries near gambrel

Statistics for gambrel

Look-up Popularity

Time Traveler for gambrel

The first known use of gambrel was in 1547

See more words from the same year

WORD OF THE DAY

panoply

a magnificent or impressive array

Test Your Vocabulary

Name that Food Quiz

Name these cookies!

Name That Thing

Test your visual vocabulary with our 10-question challenge!

TAKE THE QUIZ

SCRABBLE® Sprint

Test Your Knowledge - and learn some interesting things along the way.

TAKE THE QUIZ

Words at Play

Ask the Editors

Word Games