Preferred term

Stretcher

Definition

n. late ME stretcher. From stretch. Crosspieces or rungs connecting legs of chairs, tables, etc., reinforcing the structures against horizontal forces that tend to disjoin the assemblies between the various wooden parts of which the furniture is composed. Simple turned stretchers occur in Windsor, ladder-back, and similar chairs, usually arranged like an H; other types have diagonal or X-stretchers. Greater variety on tables include Y-stretchers, double -H-stretchers, serpentine and other types, distinct in the various styles.