1. n. & v. (also dike)
--n.
1. a long wall or embankment built to prevent flooding, esp. from the sea.
2 a a ditch or artificial watercourse. b Brit. a natural watercourse.
3 a a low wall, esp. of turf. b a causeway.
4 a barrier or obstacle; a defence.
5 Geol. an intrusion of igneous rock across sedimentary strata.
6 esp. Austral. sl. a lavatory.
--v.tr. provide or defend with a dyke or dykes.
Etymology: ME f. ON d{iacute}k or MLG dik dam, MDu. dijc ditch, dam: cf. DITCH 2. n. (also dike) sl. a lesbian.
Etymology: 20th c.: orig. unkn.