mole

1. A massive, usually stone wall constructed in the sea, used as a breakwater and built to enclose or protect an anchorage or a harbor.
2. The anchorage or harbor enclosed by a mole.

[French môle, from Italian molo, from Late Greek mōlos, from Latin mōlēs, mass, mole.]

n. 1. a large solid structure on a shore serving as a pier, breakwater, or causeway.

2. a harbor formed or protected by such a structure.

See the Introduction, Abbreviations and Pronunciation for further details.

The noun has 6 meanings:

Meaning #1: the molecular weight of a substance expressed in grams; the basic unit of amount of substance adopted under the System International d'Unites
  Synonyms: gram molecule, mol

Meaning #2: a spy who works against enemy espionage
  Synonym: counterspy

Meaning #3: (Mexican) spicy sauce often containing chocolate

Meaning #4: a small congenital pigmented spot on the skin

Meaning #5: a protective structure of stone or concrete; extends from shore into the water to prevent a beach from washing away
  Synonyms: breakwater, groin, groyne, bulwark, seawall, jetty

Meaning #6: small velvety-furred burrowing mammal having small eyes and fossorial forefeet

Alameda Mole

A mole is a massive structure, usually of stone, used as a pier, breakwater, or junction between places separated by water.

Historically, the term "mole" was used in the San Francisco Bay Area in California to refer to the combined structure of a causeway and wooden pier or trestle extending out from the eastern shore and utilized by various railroads, such as the Key System, Southern Pacific Railroad (two), and Western Pacific Railroad. None of the four moles survives today, although the causeway portions of each were incorporated into the filling in of large tracts of marshland for harbor and industrial development.

See also

• Jetty
• Oakland Long Wharf
• sand bypassing

External links

• alamedainfo.com

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