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