Etymology

• Old English dīċ (the source of both 'ditch' and 'dike', the southern English 'c' being soft while the northern was hard).

Noun

1. The northern English form of ditch.
2. A ditch and bank running alongside each other.
3. A barrier of stone or earth used to hold back water and prevent flooding.
   • 1891:
     • The king of Texcuco advised the building of a great dike, so thick and strong as to keep out the water.
4. A lesbian, especially a manly or unattractive lesbian.
5. A body of once molten igneous rock that was injected into older rocks in a manner that crosses bedding planes.

Synonyms

• bank
• embankment
• dam
• levee
• breakwater
• floodwall
• seawall

• ditch

Noun

1. ditch; A small body of flowing water in a constructed channel, for irrigation or drainage.
2. The area next to the road.

   Han körde i diket med sin nya bil. = He went off the road with his new car.