GAMBREL ROOF, a roof in which, on each side of the ridge there are two slopes, the lower more steep, the upper less so, and which has gables at the end walls. They are particularly characteristic of American colonial work in New England, New York and New Jersey, although found in many parts of the world. The origin of their common use in America is not definitely known, and may be purely an independent invention in the effort to obtain greater head room in the attic or upper floor. In the New England examples the slope of the lower portion approxi mates 6o°, that of the upper portion varying from 3o° to 4o°; in places where Dutch influence was strong, the lower slope was more nearly 45°, and the upper about 3o°, and frequently there was a large projection at the eaves. In Europe the form occurs spasmodically in work of the i 7th century and later throughout the Teutonic countries, especially in Scandinavia. There are also rare examples which may be seen in the south of England. (See ROOF.)