First Known Use: 13th century
Dictionary
1dike
noun \ˈdīk\
: a long narrow hole that is dug in the ground to carry water : a ditch or trench
: a bank or mound of earth that is built to control water and especially to protect an area from flooding
Full Definition of DIKE
1
: an artificial watercourse : ditch
2
a : a bank usually of earth constructed to control or confine water : levee b : a barrier preventing passage especially of something undesirable
3
a : a raised causeway b : a tabular body of igneous rock that has been injected while molten into a fissure
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Origin of DIKE
Middle English, probably from Old Norse dīk ditch and Middle Low German dīk dam; akin to Old English dīc ditch — more at ditch
Related to DIKE
- Synonyms
- dam, embankment, head, levee
Other Civil Engineering Terms
2dike
verb
dikeddik·ing
Definition of DIKE
transitive verb
1
: to surround or protect with a dike
2
: to drain by a dike
— dik·er noun
First Known Use of DIKE
14th century
Other Civil Engineering Terms
3dike
Definition of DIKE
variant of dyke
DIKE Defined for Kids
dike
noun \ˈdīk\
Definition of DIKE for Kids
1
: a long trench dug in the earth to carry water
2
: a mound of earth built to control water
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