eaves

Everyday

The lower edges of a roof that stick out beyond the walls of a house. tree →

In the lessons

In everyday life and science, birds such as swallows and house martins nest under the eaves; gutters are fixed along the eaves to catch rain. In stories, rain drips from the eaves and icicles hang from them. The word «eavesdrop» (to listen secretly) comes from standing under the eaves to hear people inside.

Examples

• Swallows built a nest under the eaves. tree →
• Icicles hung from the eaves all winter. tree →
• Rain dripped from the eaves of the old cottage. tree →
• The gutter along the eaves was full of leaves. tree →
• We sheltered from the shower under the eaves. tree →
• Wasps made a nest under the eaves of the shed. tree →
• “Do you know,” Peter asked “why swallows build in the eaves of houses? tree →

Note

Always plural: «the eaves are», not «an eave» (a singular «eave» is very rare). Related: «eavesdrop», «eavesdropper». Do not confuse with «Eve» or «eve» (the night before).