water-breakern.1
/ˈwɔːtəbreɪkə/, U.S. /ˈwɔdərˌbreɪkər/, /ˈwɑdərˌbreɪkər/ Now somewhat rare.
A barrier against the force of the waves, a breakwater. Also: a cutwater on the pier of a bridge; = cutwater n. 2.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > water > flow or flowing > flood or flooding > structures protecting from water or flooding > [noun] > breakwater
countermure1610
breaker1661
water-breakera1689
breakwater1769
floating harbour1841
water break1875
crib-breakwater1879
wave screen1883
stockade1891
Stabit1962
society > travel > means of travel > route or way > other means of passage or access > [noun] > bridge > parts of
pierlOE
bridge foota1450
heada1450
staddling1461
foota1500
bridge end1515
jowel1516
causey1523
starling?c1684
rib1735
spur1736
icebreaker1744
jetty1772
cutwater1776
roadway1798
sleeper1823
water-breaker1823
centrya1834
stem1835
suspension-tower1842
cantilever1850
semi-beam1850
pylon1851
half-chess1853
span1862
sway-bracing1864
needle-beam1867
ice apron1871
newel1882
flood-arch1891
needle girder1898
sway-brace1909
trough flooring1911
a1689 H. Cholmley Acct. Tangier (1787) 279 They made without them a water-breaker, which was a ledge of great stones..at all times above the height of the water, and so a perfect interception to the force of the sea.
1793 S. Ireland Picturesque Views Medway i. 8 The old ships of war stationed here are termed Water Breakers, from their breaking the violence of the tides.
1819 A. Salamé Narr. Exped. Algiers i. 4 I observed..the surprising work of that great Wall, or Water Breaker, which is raised in the middle of such a bay as that of Plymouth.
1823 P. Nicholson New Pract. Builder 302 Water-breakers,..being the extremities of the piers which meet and divide the water in its course.
1869 H. Hall Hist. Auburn iv. 302 Moles or banks..provided at the outward ends with piers for ice and water-breakers.
1997 Mahjubah Jan. 45/2 Water-breakers in the eastern side of the bridge are semicircular with brick exterior.
2010 Sunday Observer (Sri Lanka) (Nexis) 3 Jan. The future Galle Harbour will consist of a multi-purpose quay and a water-breaker.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, September 2015; most recently modified version published online December 2021).
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n.1a1689