Merriam-Webster Collegiate Dictionary - gable roof

 noun  Date: 1850 a double-sloping roof that forms a gable at each end GABLE  noun  Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, probably from Medieval Latin gabulum gibbet, of Celtic origin; akin to Old Irish gabul forked stick  Date: 14th century  1.  a. the vertical triangular end of a building from cornice or eaves to ridge  b. the similar end of a gambrel roof  c. the end wall of a building  2. a triangular part or structure  • ~d adjective GABLE  biographical name  (William) Clark 1901-1960 American actor