bulwark

Meaning

Noun

1. A defensive wall or rampart.
2. A defense or safeguard.
3. A breakwater.
4. The planking or plating along the sides of a nautical vessel above her gunwale that reduces the likelihood of seas washing over the gunwales and people being washed overboard.
5. Any means of defence or security.

Verb

1. To fortify something with a wall or rampart.
2. To provide protection of defense for something.

Synonyms

rampart

bastion

stronghold

breakwater

seawall

citadel

jetty

mole

groyne

wall

fortification

fortress

groin

gunwale

embankment

fence

sconce

fastness

knoll

mound

next

outwork

paling

pile

pillar

revetment

rowlock

wale

gun platform

protective wall

mound over

digue

vallasion

circum-vallation

pilerow

bank

🏦

walling timber

barbette

barrier

bench

brink

bulkhead

buttress

dam

dike

earthwork

entrenchment

fencing

fort

gunnel

heap

hedge

hillock

hurdle

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈbʊl.wək/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: bulwerk

Cognate with German: Bollwerk

Cognate with Danish: bolværk

Cognate with Swedish: bålverk

Cognate with Dutch: bolwerk

Cognate with French: boulevard

Cognate with Portuguese: -

Cognate with Spanish: -

Cognate with Italian: baluardo

In summary

From Middle English bulwerk, from Middle Dutch bolwerk, bolwerc and Middle Low German bolwerk, equivalent to bole (“tree trunk”) + work. Cognate with German Bollwerk, Danish bolværk, Swedish bålverk, Dutch bolwerk. Doublet of boulevard (from French boulevard, from Dutch); cognate with Portuguese and Spanish baluarte and Italian baluardo.