TRUSS, in architecture, an ornamented corbel, serving to support an entablature or balcony, or to conceal the ends of the beams which really support the structure; in the latter case it is frequently made of galvanized sheet iron. In carpentry, a frame to which rigidity is given by stay ing and bracing, so that its figure shall be incapable of alteration by the turn ing of the bars about their joints. The simplest frames are of wood, and of few parts. More imposing structures are more complicated, the parts being em ployed in resisting extension or compres sion. Composite trusses employ both wood and iron; in fact, few of any im portance are destitute of bolts and tie rods. In the simplest form of a truss the tie beam is suspended by the king post from the apex of the angle formed by the meeting of the rafters. In the more complex form the tie beam is sus pended by the queen posts from two points. In shipbuilding, a short piece
of carved work fitted under the taff rail; chiefly used in small ships. Also, the iron hoop, stirrup, and clasp by which the middle of a lower yard is secured to the mast. It consists of a hoop on the mast, tightened by means of screws, whose open heads engage the eyes of a stirrup, which is swiveled to the hoop on the yard. In surgery, an instrument to keep hernia reduced, that is, to retain the intestines within the abdominal cavity. The essential feature is a spring or bandage resting on a pad, which is kept above the orifice of protusion. The pad is usually kept to its place by a spring which reaches around the body terminating opposite to the ruptured part. The spring is cushioned, and some times has pads to give it bearing on special parts.