Part of the roof often dropped (5)

I believe the answer is:

eaves

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'part of the roof' is the definition.
('eaves' is part of 'roof')

I don't understand the remainder of the clue.

(Other definitions for eaves that I've seen before include "Overhang at edge of a roof" , "Roof's overhang" , "Roof projection" , "parts of housetops" , "Overhanging roof edges" .)

I've seen this clue in The Globe and Mail.

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