I. ˈjed.]ē, -et], ]i\ noun
( -es )
Etymology: Middle English getee, jette, from Middle French jetee action of throwing or thrusting, jetty, from feminine of jeté, past participle of jeter to throw — more at jet
1.
a. : a structure (as a pier or mole of wood or stone) extended into a sea, lake, or river to influence the current or tide or to protect a harbor ; also : a protecting frame of a pier
b. : a landing wharf or pier often of framed woodwork
2. : a part of a building that projects beyond the rest
one of the most common features of New England colonial architecture was the overhanging second story or jetty as it was called — H.S.Morrison
3. : a protecting outwork : bastion , bulwark
4. dialect England : a narrow passage or raised footpath
Synonyms: see wharf
II. intransitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
1. : project , jut — used especially of a part of a building
2. : to extend like a jetty for a distance into a body of water
the great Municipal Pier which jetties out nearly a mile into the lake — Time
III. adjective
Etymology: jet (I) + -y
: having the color jet black
the sky was of a jetty black, and the stars were brilliantly visible — E.A.Poe
a wine-red lined cowl which she wore demurely over her jetty hair — Herman Wouk