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Webster 1913 Edition


Soffit

Sof′fit

,
Noun.
[It.
soffitta
,
soffitto
, fr.
soffiggere
to hide, properly, to fix or fasten under, L.
suffigere
to fasten beneath or below;
sub
under, beneath +
figere
to fix, faste: cf. F.
soffite
.]
(Arch.)
The under side of the subordinate parts and members of buildings, such as staircases, entablatures, archways, cornices, or the like. See Illust. of
Lintel
.

Webster 1828 Edition


Soffit

SOF'FIT

,
Noun.
1.
In architecture, any timber ceiling formed of cross beams, the compartments of which are enriched with sculpture, painting or gilding.
2.
The under side of face of an architrave, enriched with compartment of roses.

Definition 2024


soffit

soffit

English

The soffit of a house.

Noun

soffit (plural soffits)

  1. (architecture) The visible underside of an arch, balcony, beam, cornice, staircase, vault or any other architectural element.
    • 1983, Monte Burch, Building Small Barns, Sheds & Shelters‎, page 110
      If the soffit is to be sloping, simply attach the soffit board(s) to the underside of the rafters, butting the edges tight against the fascia board in front and the barn siding in the back.
    • 2014 September 11, Jeff Howell, “Home improvements: The dangers of abestos roofs [print version: Where can I find help – at the double?, 6 September 2014, p. P13]”, in The Daily Telegraph (Property):
      A soffit is the underside of any part of a building's structure. Most people know about the soffit boards below their fascia boards (which cap off the ends of a roof's rafters). But if you walk through a brick-built tunnel and glance upwards, for example, you will be looking at the soffit of the arch.
  2. (pipe technology) The top point of the inside open section of a pipe or box conduit.
    The elevation of the pipe soffit is 10.4 meters above mean sea level.

Derived terms

  • coffered soffit

Translations

See also