the triangular part of an outside wall at the end of a building, extending from the eaves to the ridge of the roof. In classic architecture it was part of the pediment and was an important feature, but it did not come into general use until the Romanesque period of architecture in the Middle Ages, when it was common in the formation of the summits of church facades. It was also used as a decorative feature in domestic architecture. The development of tracery in Gothic architecture led to the use of highly decorated gables as ornaments over doorways, windows, pinnacles and other parts of buildings. In the towns of Belgium and Germany to-day, ornamental gables are in use in houses to a great extent.