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Glite Dictionary
Bailey bridge

Bailey bridge

6.8
A temporary metal bridge built quickly from parts for people or vehicles to cross a river
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : puente Bailey
  • During the emergency, the team built a temporary Bailey bridge to connect the two sides of the flooded area.

Examples

  • The soldiers quickly assembled a Bailey bridge to cross the river during their mission.

  • Didn't you ever build a Bailey bridge?

    A Bridge Too Far (1977)

  • Indeed, Shelford Bidwell has given it an almost legendary status, noting that the test was "probably as important to the country's war effort as the 25-pounder gun and the Bailey bridge."

    Academic text (1995)

  • Engineers designed a Bailey bridge that could be easily transported and set up for quick access in disaster zones.

Synonyms

bridge
vsBailey bridge
∞ 1.0

A structure built across water, like a river, to carry people or vehicles

is portable prefabricated truss structure made for rapid temporary use in emergencies
truss bridge
vsBailey bridge
  • Specialized
1 5.1

Bridge with a frame of connected triangles that holds the road or railway

is portable, prefabricated and built for rapid temporary assembly in emergencies

How Permanent

bridge
∞ 1.0
Bailey bridge
  • Specialized
6.8
bateau bridge
  • Specialized
9.9
makeshift
1 4.3

Surface Forms

Bailey bridge singular
Bailey bridges plural

Morphology

Bailey + bridge

The noun 'bridge' gives a clear category so a learner would infer it refers to a type of bridge, but 'Bailey' is an eponym/proper name with no semantic contribution that signals the technical properties. The specific meaning ― a portable, prefabricated military/emergency truss bridge ― cannot be derived from the constituents, so only the general category is transparent.

Etymology

Bailey bridge is named after engineer Sir Donald Bailey, who designed a strong, portable bridge made of metal panels that fit together like large 'building blocks'. Because soldiers and engineers could carry and join these parts very quickly in war or after a flood, the name now means a bridge used for 'temporary' or emergency crossings.