BULWARK


Meaning of BULWARK in English

I. ˈbu̇l-(ˌ)wərk, -ˌwȯrk; ˈbəl-(ˌ)wərk; sense 3 also ˈbə-ˌläk noun

Etymology: Middle English bulwerke, from Middle Dutch bolwerc, from bolle tree trunk + werc work

Date: 15th century

1.

a. : a solid wall-like structure raised for defense : rampart

b. : breakwater , seawall

2. : a strong support or protection

3. : the side of a ship above the upper deck — usually used in plural

II. transitive verb

Date: 15th century

: to fortify or safeguard with a bulwark

Merriam-Webster's Collegiate English vocabulary.      Энциклопедический словарь английского языка Merriam Webster.