birdsmouth

== English == === Alternative forms === bird's mouth, birdmouth === Etymology === From bird +‎ -s- +‎ mouth, from its appearance. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈbɜːdsmaʊθ/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈbɝdsmaʊθ/ Hyphenation: birds‧mouth === Noun === birdsmouth (plural birdsmouths) (carpentry) 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. === Verb === birdsmouth (third-person singular simple present birdsmouths, present participle birdsmouthing, simple past and past participle birdsmouthed) (carpentry) To cut a birdsmouth into a rafter or similar timber component.