bulwark

== English == === Etymology === From Middle English bulwerk, from Middle Dutch bolwerk, bolwerc and Middle Low German bolwerk, equivalent to bole (“tree trunk”) +‎ work. Cognate with German Bollwerk, Danish bolværk, Swedish bålverk, Dutch bolwerk. Doublet of boulevard (from French boulevard, from Dutch); cognate with Portuguese and Spanish baluarte and Italian baluardo. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation, General Australian) IPA(key): /ˈbʊl.wək/ (US) enPR: bo͝ol'wərk, IPA(key): /ˈbʊl.wɚk/ (Scotland, Northern Ireland) IPA(key): /ˈbʉl.wəɹk/ === 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. ==== Translations ==== === 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.