I. ˈbrij noun
Etymology: Middle English brigge, from Old English brycg; akin to Old High German brucka bridge, Old Church Slavic brŭvŭno beam
Date: before 12th century
1.
a. : a structure carrying a pathway or roadway over a depression or obstacle
b. : a time, place, or means of connection or transition
2. : something resembling a bridge in form or function: as
a. : the upper bony part of the nose ; also : the part of a pair of glasses that rests upon it
b. : a piece raising the strings of a musical instrument — see violin illustration
c. : the forward part of a ship's superstructure from which the ship is navigated
d. : gantry 2b
e. : the hand as a rest for a billiards or pool cue ; also : a device used as a cue rest
3.
a. : a musical passage linking two sections of a composition
b. : a partial denture anchored to adjacent teeth
c. : a connection (as an atom or group of atoms) that joins two different parts of a molecule (as opposite sides of a ring)
4. : an electrical instrument or network for measuring or comparing resistances, inductances, capacitances, or impedances by comparing the ratio of two opposing voltages to a known ratio
• bridge·less -ləs adjective
[
bridge 1a: 1 beam, 2 truss, 3 arch, 4 suspension, 5 cable-stayed
]
II. transitive verb
( bridged ; bridg·ing )
Date: before 12th century
1. : to make a bridge over or across
bridge the gap
also : to join by a bridge
2. : to provide with a bridge
• bridge·able ˈbri-jə-bəl adjective
III. noun
Etymology: alteration of earlier biritch, of unknown origin
Date: circa 1897
: any of various card games for usually four players in two partnerships that bid for the right to declare a trump suit, seek to win tricks equal to the final bid, and play with the hand of declarer's partner exposed and played by declarer ; especially : contract bridge