groyne

Meaning

An often wooden structure that projects from a coastline to prevent erosion, longshore drift etc.; a breakwater.

Synonyms

groin

jetty

breakwater

seawall

mole

bulwark

protecting mole

spur

sea wall

spur dike

sea dyke

wing dam

wooden breakwater

sea bank

groin, groyne

groin arch

sea embankment

barricade

coastal levee

barrier

dam

dike

levee

pier

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ɡɹɔɪn/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: groyn

In summary

From Middle English groyn (“snout”), from Old French groign, from Late Latin grunium, grunia, from Latin grunnire (“grunt like a pig”).