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Glite Dictionary
🚢 Front ship part 🌉 Bridge wedge
cutwater

cutwater

9.9
A wedge of stone in front of a bridge that splits moving water
  • noun
  • /ˈkʌtˌwɔːtər/
  • Specialized
: corte de puente
  • A well-designed cutwater can extend the lifespan of a bridge by minimizing water damage.

Examples

  • Engineers inspected the stone cutwater for signs of erosion after the flood.

  • Engineers designed the cutwater to enhance water flow around the pier.

  • The cutwater helped reduce the pressure of the river against the bridge during heavy rains.

  • The cutwater of the bridge helps direct the river's flow.

  • The cutwater helped reduce the pressure of the river against the bridge during heavy rains.

  • Engineers inspected the stone cutwater for signs of erosion after the flood.

  • A well-designed cutwater can extend the lifespan of a bridge by minimizing water damage.

Surface Forms

cutwater singular
cutwaters plural

Morphology

cutwater = cut + water (transparent) = cut + water

The term is a compound meaning a structure that splits or diverts water flow; the components directly convey this function.

Etymology

Cutwater comes from the simple parts cut and water, meaning a part that 'cuts' the flow of water. That is why it refers to the wedge-shaped piece on the front of a bridge pier that splits and sends water away to protect the bridge.