dike
UK: daɪk | US: daɪk
n. 1. A long wall or embankment built to prevent flooding from the sea or a river.
n. 2. (Geology) A sheet of igneous rock that cuts across existing strata.
vt. To protect or enclose with a dike.
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The word "dike" traces back to Old English dīc, meaning "ditch" or "trench," which itself derives from Proto-Germanic *dīkaz. Over time, its meaning expanded to include man-made barriers built alongside ditches to control water. In geology, it adopted a specialized sense to describe intrusive rock formations that "cut through" layers of earth, metaphorically resembling a barrier. The dual meanings reflect the word's evolution from practical water management to scientific terminology.
The villagers built a dike to protect their farmland from the rising river.
The geologist pointed out a basalt dike cutting through the sedimentary layers.
The Netherlands is famous for its extensive system of dikes and canals.
The government allocated funds to dike the vulnerable coastline.
Erosion weakened the dike, prompting urgent repairs.