thatcher's rake

plural thatcher's rakes

1. Synonym of thatch-rake (“tool for combing a thatched roof”).

   He exposed a row of teeth that were sharp and gapped like a thatcher's rake.

   2013, Ross King, Ex Libris, →ISBN

   2 more examples

   After the thatch is secured on the roof, it is usual in England to make the surface flat and even by beating and combing. This is generally done with a thatcher's rake.

   1916, Charles Frederick Innocent, The Development of English Building Construction, page 205

   After being thus secured the surface was beaten flat and, in the case of straw thatch was combed down with a thatcher's rake.

   2007, Basil Oliver, The Cottages of England: Country Homes from the 16th to 18th Century, →ISBN

   Synonyms: thatch-rake

2. Synonym of thatch-rake (“heraldic device”).

   Sa. three thatcher's rakes in pale arg. SHUNE, Kent

   1874, John Woody Papworth, Alfred W. Morant, An Alphabetical Dictionary of Coats of Arms Belonging to Families in Great Britain and Ireland, Forming an Extensive Ordinary of British Armorials

   2 more examples

   Argent, three thatchers' rakes barwise sable, are the arms of ZAKESLEY.

   1847, Henry Gough, A Glossary of Terms Used in British Heraldry

   The thatch-rake or thatcher's rake is drawn as in the margin ; but it is liable to be confused with the wool-comb and thatch-hook.

   1894, James Parker, A Glossary of Terms Used in Heraldry, page 488

   Synonyms: thatch-rake