'Hammer-beam' definitions:

Definition of 'Hammer-beam'

From: GCIDE

Hammer-beam \Ham"mer-beam`\ (-b[=e]m`), n. (Gothic Arch.) A member of one description of roof truss, called hammer-beam truss, which is so framed as not to have a tiebeam at the top of the wall. Each principal has two hammer-beams, which occupy the situation, and to some extent serve the purpose, of a tiebeam. [1913 Webster]