BULWARK
breakwater, groin, groyne, mole, bulwark, seawall, jetty
(noun) a protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away
bulwark
(noun) a fencelike structure around a deck (usually plural)
rampart, bulwark, wall
(noun) an embankment built around a space for defensive purposes; “they stormed the ramparts of the city”; “they blew the trumpet and the walls came tumbling down”
bulwark
(verb) defend with a bulwark
Source: WordNet® 3.1
Etymology
Noun
bulwark (plural bulwarks)
A defensive wall or rampart.
A defense or safeguard.
A breakwater.
(nautical) 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.
(figurative) Any means of defence or security.
Verb
bulwark (third-person singular simple present bulwarks, present participle bulwarking, simple past and past participle bulwarked)
(transitive) To fortify something with a wall or rampart.
(transitive) To provide protection of defense for something.
Source: Wiktionary
Bul"wark, n. Etym: [Akin to D. bolwerk, G. bollwerk, Sw. bolwerk,
Dan. bolvärk, bulvärk, rampart; akin to G. bohle plank, and werk
work, defense. See Bole stem, and Work, n., and cf. Boulevard.]
1. (Fort.)
Definition: A rampart; a fortification; a bastion or outwork.
2. That which secures against an enemy, or defends from attack; any
means of defense or protection.
The royal navy of England hath ever been its greatest defense, . . .
the floating bulwark of our island. Blackstone.
3. pl. (Naut.)
Definition: The sides of a ship above the upper deck.
Syn.
– See Rampart.
Bul"wark, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Bulwarked (; p. pr. & vb.n.
Bulwarking.]
Definition: To fortify with, or as with, a rampart or wall; to secure by
fortification; to protect.
Of some proud city, bulwarked round and armed With rising towers.
Glover.
Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition