Di|ke

dike¹ «dyk», noun, verb, diked, dik|ing.

–n.

1. a bank of earth or a dam built as a defense against flooding by a river or the sea: »

More than 5,000 years ago the Chinese were controlling the Yellow River floods with dikes (New York Times).

SYNONYM(S): embankment.

2. a ditch or channel for water.

3. a bank of earth thrown up in digging. SYNONYM(S): earthwork.

4. a low wall of earth or stone used to enclose or divide a field; causeway.

5. Figurative. a barrier; obstacle: »

A vital…dike against inflation will be swept away (Arthur Krock).

6. Geology. a long, usually narrow mass of igneous rock which was thrust, while molten, into a fissure in older rock: »

There is no sharp distinction between veins and dikes, but in general, the material of veins was deposited gradually (George B. Clark).

–v.t.

1. to provide with a dike or dikes.

2. to drain with a ditch or channel for water.

3. Scottish. to enclose or divide (land) with dikes.

–v.i.

to dig or build dikes. Also, dyke.

╂[Old English dīc. See related etym. at ditch. (Cf. ↑ditch)]

–dik´er, noun.

dike² «dyk», noun.

Slang. = dyke². (Cf. ↑dyke)

Di|ke «DY kee», noun.

= Dice. (Cf. ↑Dice)