Final answer:
An eave is the architectural term for the projection of a wall to support the extension of a roof, providing protection from weather.
Step-by-step explanation:
If the wall projects to support the extension of the roof, the projection is called an eave. This architectural element is specifically designed to project beyond the side of a building to provide weather protection. The eave typically involves the lower edge of the roof and is the part most associated with gutters and the shedding of water.
While a cornice is often a decorative element that crowns a building or forms the uppermost part of the entablature, an eave differs as it extends out from the roof edge. A parapet is a low wall that may be part of an eave structure but extends above the roof line primarily for protection or to hide equipment, and a soffit is the underside component of an eave.