Birdsmouth
//ˈbɜːdsmaʊθ// noun, verb
noun, verb ·Rare ·Advanced level
Definitions
Noun
- 1 A notch cut into the underside of a rafter to ensure that it does not move when resting on the wall plate running across the top of a wall; a similar notch in other timber components.
"Support the veneer stack on a ¾-in.-thick board with a narrow V notch cut into one edge. This board is called a birds-mouth, and the V notch provides clearance for the blade while the work is supported for cutting."
Verb
- 1 To cut a birdsmouth into a rafter or similar timber component.
"The end of the common rafter is birdsmouthed and nailed to the pole plate."
Example
More examples"Support the veneer stack on a ¾-in.-thick board with a narrow V notch cut into one edge. This board is called a birds-mouth, and the V notch provides clearance for the blade while the work is supported for cutting."
Etymology
From bird + -s- + mouth, from its appearance.
Related phrases
More for "birdsmouth"
Data sourced from Wiktionary, WordNet, CMU, and other open linguistic databases. Updated March 2026.