Meanings
-
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
adj
deep, glossy black like the mineral jet; literary
Her jetty hair shone blue-black in the winter light.
-
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.
Thesaurus
Etymology
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.