bascule
1
9.9
A bridge part that lifts on a pivot like a seesaw to let ships pass
- noun
- /ˈbæskjuːl/
- Specialized
:
báscula
- bascule bridge
Examples
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It's the first combination of bascule and suspension bridge ever attempted.
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It's the first combination of bascule and suspension bridge ever attempted.
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A combined bascule and suspension bridge in London, England, spanning the River Thames, the Tower Bridge was opened on June 30, 1894, by The Prince of Wales.
Blog text (17) -
The bascule bridge opens to allow ships to pass through the river.
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During the festival, the bascule bridge raised its span for a parade of boats.
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The engineer explained how the bascule bridge operates using a counterweight system.
Surface Forms
Etymology
Bascule comes from French basculer, meaning 'to tilt' and like a 'seesaw'. So a bascule bridge is like a large, balanced 'seesaw' arm that lifts to let ships pass.