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Where does the word "bulwark" come from? It comes from Middle Dutch bolwerc, passing through Middle English before entering English (1500s).
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Where does the word "bulwark" come from? It comes from Middle Dutch bolwerc, passing through Middle English before entering English (1500s).
Bulwark’s story begins in Middle Dutch: bolwerc meant “log rampart.” 'bole', tree trunk, plus 'werc', work: a rampart of logs. By 1400s, the word had taken hold in Middle English as bulwerk. Also gave French 'boulevard', a street built on old city walls. It reached English by 1500s as bulwark. Used figuratively for any safeguard. Today, bulwark means a defensive wall; a person or thing that protects.
- Stage 1 · Middle Dutch · medieval bolwerc "log rampart", 'bole', tree trunk, plus 'werc', work: a rampart of logs.
- Stage 2 · Middle English · 1400s bulwerk "a defensive wall", also gave French 'boulevard', a street built on old city walls.
- Stage 3 · English · 1500s bulwark "a defensive wall; a safeguard", used figuratively for any safeguard.