bulwark
American Heritage Dictionary:
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bul·wark
(bʊl'wərk, -wôrk', bŭl'-) 
n.
n.
- A wall or embankment raised as a defensive fortification; a rampart.
- Something serving as a defense or safeguard: "We have seen the necessity of the Union, as our bulwark against foreign danger" (James Madison).
- A breakwater.
- The part of a ship's side that is above the upper deck. Often used in the plural.
- To fortify with a wall, embankment, or rampart.
- To provide defense or protection for.
[Middle English bulwerk, from Middle Dutch bolwerk, from Middle High German bolwerc : bole, plank + werc, work (from Old High German).]
SYNONYMS bulwark, barricade, breastwork, earthwork, rampart, bastion, parapet. These nouns refer literally to structures used as a defense against attack. A bulwark can be a mound of earth, an embankment, or a wall-like fortification. Barricade usually implies hasty construction to meet an imminent threat. Breastwork denotes a low defensive wall, especially a temporary one hurriedly built. Earthwork is a defensive construction of earth. 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 and bastion 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 and well enough informed to maintain its sovereign control over its government" (Franklin D. Roosevelt). A free press is one of the bastions of a democracy.
Antonyms by Answers.com:
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bulwark
n
Definition: fortification, support
Antonyms: weak link, weak point, weakness
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[ܒboolܖwǝrk]
2. (usually bulwarks) an extension of a ship's sides above the level of the deck.
See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.
A strong defensive wall structure, generally low enough to permit defensive fire.
Word Tutor:
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bulwark
IN BRIEF: Something that provides defense or security.
The soldiers built a bulwark to protect the east side of the city.
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Random House Word Menu:
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categories related to 'bulwark'
- Building and Machine Parts - bulwark: fortified wall or rampart
- Parts of Ships, Sails, and Equipment - bulwark: rail around ship’s deck
See crossword solutions for the clue Translations:
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Bulwark
Dansk (Danish)
n. - bolværk, værn, fæstningsmur
v. tr. - værne sig, befæste
Nederlands (Dutch)
bolwerk, verdediger, verdedigend principe, krachtige steun, (mv) zijkant van schip bovendeks, dam, golfbreker
Français (French)
n. - fortification, brise-lames, (fig) rempart, (Naut) bastingage
v. tr. - entourer de remparts, fortifier
Deutsch (German)
n. - Wall, Bollwerk, Mole, (mar.) Schanzkleid
v. - mit Bollwerken befestigen
Ελληνική (Greek)
n. - προμαχώνας, προπύργιο, κουπαστή, παραπέτο, κυματοθραύστης
Italiano (Italian)
mura, bastione
Português (Portuguese)
n. - bastião (m), amurada (f) (Náut.), defesa (f) (fig.)
Русский (Russian)
вал, бастион
Español (Spanish)
n. - muralla, tapia, bastión, baluarte
v. tr. - fortificar, proteger, defender
Svenska (Swedish)
n. - bålverk, vall, reling
中文（简体）(Chinese (Simplified))
壁垒, 防波堤, 筑垒保卫, 保护, 使安全
中文（繁體）(Chinese (Traditional))
n. - 壁壘, 防波堤
v. tr. - 築壘保衛, 保護, 使安全
한국어 (Korean)
n. - 성벽, 보호자, 방파제
v. tr. - ~에 성벽을 두르다, ~을 방어하다
日本語 (Japanese)
n. - とりで, 舷墻, 防壁, 防波堤
v. - とりでで固める, 擁護する
العربيه (Arabic)
(الاسم) متراس, , استحكام, سند
עברית (Hebrew)
n. - שובר-גלים, חומת-מגן, מעוז, מבצר, סוללת-עפר להגנה, עיקרון מגן, איש הגנה, צד האוניה מעל לסיפון
v. tr. - ביצר או הגן ע"י חומת-מגן
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