bulwark
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bul·wark
(bo͝ol′wərk, -wôrk′, bŭl′-)n.
1. A wall or embankment raised as a defensive fortification; a rampart.
2. Something serving as a defense or safeguard: "We have seen the necessity of the Union, as our bulwark against foreign danger" (James Madison).
3. A breakwater.
4. often bulwarks The part of a ship's side that is above the upper deck.
tr.v. bul·warked, bul·wark·ing, bul·warks
1. To fortify with a wall, embankment, or rampart.
2. To provide defense or protection for: "the wetland that bulwarked the pond" (Edward Hoagland).
[Middle English bulwerk, from Middle Dutch bolwerk, from Middle High German bolwerc : bole, plank; see bhel- in Indo-European roots + werc, work (from Old High German; see werg- in Indo-European roots).]
Synonyms: bulwark, barricade, breastwork, earthwork, rampart, bastion, parapet
These nouns refer literally to structures used as a defense against attack. A bulwark is a strong defensive barrier, often an embankment or wall-like fortification, from which fire can be directed. A barricade is an improvised barrier meant to stop or slow an advancing threat. Breastwork denotes a low defensive wall, especially a temporary one hurriedly built. An earthwork is an embankment made of soil, and may include a trench or moat. A rampart, the main defensive structure around a guarded place, is permanent, high, and broad. A bastion is a projecting section of a fortification from which defenders have a wide range of view and fire. Parapet applies to any low fortification, typically a wall atop a rampart. Of these words bulwark, bastion, and rampart are the most frequently used to refer figuratively to something regarded as being a safeguard or a source of protection: "The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough ... to maintain its sovereign control over its government" (Franklin D. Roosevelt)."the University of Virginia, a school founded by Jefferson to be a bastion of free thought" (Garry Wills)."The sense of being a couple ... is the strongest rampart against the relentless threat of our divorce culture" (Judith S. Wallerstein).
These nouns refer literally to structures used as a defense against attack. A bulwark is a strong defensive barrier, often an embankment or wall-like fortification, from which fire can be directed. A barricade is an improvised barrier meant to stop or slow an advancing threat. Breastwork denotes a low defensive wall, especially a temporary one hurriedly built. An earthwork is an embankment made of soil, and may include a trench or moat. A rampart, the main defensive structure around a guarded place, is permanent, high, and broad. A bastion is a projecting section of a fortification from which defenders have a wide range of view and fire. Parapet applies to any low fortification, typically a wall atop a rampart. Of these words bulwark, bastion, and rampart are the most frequently used to refer figuratively to something regarded as being a safeguard or a source of protection: "The only sure bulwark of continuing liberty is a government strong enough to protect the interests of the people, and a people strong enough ... to maintain its sovereign control over its government" (Franklin D. Roosevelt)."the University of Virginia, a school founded by Jefferson to be a bastion of free thought" (Garry Wills)."The sense of being a couple ... is the strongest rampart against the relentless threat of our divorce culture" (Judith S. Wallerstein).
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
bulwark
(ˈbʊlwək)n
1. (Fortifications) a wall or similar structure used as a fortification; rampart
2. a person or thing acting as a defence against injury, annoyance, etc
3. (Nautical Terms) (often plural) nautical a solid vertical fencelike structure along the outward sides of a deck
4. (Navigation) a breakwater or mole
vb
(Fortifications) (tr) to defend or fortify with or as if with a bulwark
[C15: via Dutch from Middle High German bolwerk, from bol plank, bole1 + werk work]
Collins English Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged, 12th Edition 2014 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1994, 1998, 2000, 2003, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2011, 2014
bul•wark
(ˈbʊl wərk, -wɔrk, ˈbʌl-)n.
1. a wall of earth or other material built for defense; rampart.
2. any protection against external danger, injury, or annoyance.
3. any person or thing giving strong support or encouragement in time of need, danger, or doubt.
4. Usu., bulwarks. (on a ship) a wall enclosing the perimeter of a weather or main deck.
v.t. 5. to fortify or protect with a bulwark.
[1375–1425; late Middle English bulwerk, probably < Middle Dutch bolwerc]
Random House Kernerman Webster's College Dictionary, © 2010 K Dictionaries Ltd. Copyright 2005, 1997, 1991 by Random House, Inc. All rights reserved.
bulwark
- Comes from German bole, "plank," and werc, "work," and originally meant "rampart made out of planks or tree trunks."See also related terms for rampart.
Farlex Trivia Dictionary. © 2012 Farlex, Inc. All rights reserved.
Bulwark
a collection of persons acting as a defense or safeguard to protect an ideal or way of life.Examples: bulwark of Christendom, 1577; of our laws, 1614; of our liberties, 1789; to theology, 1837.
Dictionary of Collective Nouns and Group Terms. Copyright 2008 The Gale Group, Inc. All rights reserved.
bulwark
Past participle: bulwarked
Gerund: bulwarking
| Imperative |
|---|
| bulwark |
| bulwark |
Collins English Verb Tables © HarperCollins Publishers 2011
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Switch to new thesaurus
| Noun | 1. |  bulwark - 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"bailey - the outer defensive wall that surrounds the outer courtyard of a castle battlement, crenelation, crenellation - a rampart built around the top of a castle with regular gaps for firing arrows or guns earthwork - an earthen rampart embankment - a long artificial mound of stone or earth; built to hold back water or to support a road or as protection fortification, munition - defensive structure consisting of walls or mounds built around a stronghold to strengthen it fraise - sloping or horizontal rampart of pointed stakes merlon - a solid section between two crenels in a crenelated battlement |
| 2. | bulwark - a fencelike structure around a deck (usually plural) barrier - a structure or object that impedes free movement ship - a vessel that carries passengers or freight | |
| 3. |  bulwark - a protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing awaybarrier - a structure or object that impedes free movement | |
| Verb | 1. | bulwark - defend with a bulwark defend - be on the defensive; act against an attack |
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.
bulwark
noun
Collins Thesaurus of the English Language – Complete and Unabridged 2nd Edition. 2002 © HarperCollins Publishers 1995, 2002
Translations
حِصْن، مِتْراس
opevněníval
skanseværn
aallonmurtaja
vörn, varnargarîur
pylimas
aizsargvalnis
val
Collins Spanish Dictionary - Complete and Unabridged 8th Edition 2005 © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1971, 1988 © HarperCollins Publishers 1992, 1993, 1996, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2005
Collins English/French Electronic Resource. © HarperCollins Publishers 2005
bulwark
n
(lit, fig) → Bollwerk nt
(Naut) → Schanzkleid nt
Collins German Dictionary – Complete and Unabridged 7th Edition 2005. © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1980 © HarperCollins Publishers 1991, 1997, 1999, 2004, 2005, 2007
Collins Italian Dictionary 1st Edition © HarperCollins Publishers 1995
bulwark
(ˈbulwək) noun a wall built as a defence, often made of earth.
Kernerman English Multilingual Dictionary © 2006-2013 K Dictionaries Ltd.