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.

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

• Cambridge Dictionary
• Wiktionary
• Google Images