/ash"leuhr/ , n.
1. Masonry.
a. a squared building stone cut more or less true on all faces adjacent to those of other stones so as to permit very thin mortar joints.
b. such stones collectively.
c. masonry made of them.
2. Carpentry. a short stud between joists and sloping rafters, esp. near the eaves.
v.t.
3. to face with ashlars.
Also, ashler .
[ 1325-75; ME ascheler aissel ( i ) er axillaris, equiv. to axill ( a ) ( axis board, plank, AXIS + -illa dim. suffix) + -aris -AR 1 ; cf. -AR 2 ]