jetty

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   a structure projecting into water to protect a shore or harbor, influence currents, or provide a landing place

   The fishing boat tied up beside the stone jetty.

2. 2
   adj

   deep, glossy black like the mineral jet; literary

   Her jetty hair shone blue-black in the winter light.

3. 3
   noun

   a projecting upper story or other overhanging part of a building

   The restored medieval house has a timber-framed jetty above the street.

Simplified etymology

Jetty entered English in the late Middle English period with the underlying sense of something “thrown out” into the water. It belongs to the family of French jeter, “to throw,” which ultimately goes back to Latin jacere with the same meaning.

The projecting-structure noun comes through Middle English and Anglo-French getee or jetee, 'something thrown or projected,' from jeter, 'to throw.' The adjective meaning 'glossy black' has a separate formation: jet, the black lignite used in jewelry, + -y. Jane Eyre uses this color adjective, not the harbor noun.

Topics

External links

• Google Images
• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary