Bulwark
WordNet
noun
(1) A protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away
(2) A fencelike structure around a deck (usually plural)
(3) 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"
verb
(4) Defend with a bulwark
WiktionaryText
Etymology
, cognate with German Bollwerk, Danish , Dutch bolwerk. The first part is akin to . Cognates include French boulevard (from Dutch) and Spanish baluarte.
Noun
- A defensive wall or rampart.
- A defense or safeguard.
- A breakwater.
- 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.
Verb
- To fortify something with a wall or rampart.
- To provide protection of defense for something.