Also breastsommer, bressomer, bressumer, brestsummer. [f. BREAST + SUMMER sb.2 (a. F. sommier beam).] A ‘summer’ or beam extending horizontally over a large opening, and sustaining the whole superstructure of wall, etc.; e.g., the beam over a shop-front, the lower beam of the front of a gallery, and the like.
1611. Cotgr., Contrefrontail, the brow-peece … of a dore; a haunse, or breast summer.
1727. Bradley, Fam. Dict., s.v. Building, Brest-Sommers, Girders, Trimmers, and Wall-plates.
1845. Gloss. Goth. Archit., I. 69. Breastsummer, Bressummer … a beam supporting the front of a building, etc., after the manner of a lintel.
1880. Daily News, 27 April, 3/7. The bressummer was then burning.
1885. J. F. Molloy, Royalty Restored, II. 193. Breastsummers of stout oak.
