a frame typically composed of a horizontal bar or beam rigidly joined or fitted at each end to the top of a transverse A-frame, used as a barrier, a transverse support for planking, etc.; horse.
2.
Civil Engineering.
one of a number of bents, having sloping sides of framework or piling, for supporting the deck or stringers of a bridge.
a bridge made of these.
Origin
1300-50;Middle Englishtrestel < Middle French, by dissimilation from Old Frenchtrestre ≪ Latintrānstrum crossbeam
Examples from the web for trestle
The trestle legs fold, and both pieces can be stowed in the back of a closet.
Its members set up trestle tables at weekends in several big cities and hand out leaflets.
It occurred where eastbound and westbound rails overlap on a trestle.
In between were three rows of trestle tables with benches.
Those facing west will overlook a crumbling railroad trestle and more industrial landscape.
It is often a long, brisk, outdoor walk to a trestle stairway to board the plane.
They all sit down for a big feed at trestle tables set outdoors.
At the site, there was a wooden trestle with a large crawler crane situated in the middle of the trestle.
They are currently using divers to install under water bracing elements needed to support the heavy trestle loads.
trestle some modern steel trestles are composed of a number of girder bridge segments.
British Dictionary definitions for trestle
trestle
/ˈtrɛsəl/
noun
1.
a framework in the form of a horizontal member supported at each end by a pair of splayed legs, used to carry scaffold boards, a table top, etc
2.
a braced structural tower-like framework of timber, metal, or reinforced concrete that is used to support a bridge or ropeway
a bridge constructed of such frameworks
Word Origin
C14: from Old French trestel, ultimately from Latin trānstrumtransom
Word Origin and History for trestle
n.
early 14c., "a support for something," from Old French trestel "crossbeam" (12c.), presumed to be an alteration of Latin *transtellum, diminutive of transtrum "beam, crossbar." Specific meaning "support for a bridge" is recorded from 1796.