Embank Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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embank
[ÉŖmĖbƦÅk ]
Definitions
building up
To embank means to construct a bank or a mound of earth, often used to hold back water or to support a road or a railway. This action involves raising the ground level to create a barrier against flooding or to support infrastructure. An embankment can serve various purposes, including providing paths for transportation or enhancing the landscape. This term is frequently used in civil engineering and environmental sciences.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- They decided to embank the river to prevent flooding.
- The workers embanked the area before the heavy rains.
- The embankment along the road was reinforced after the storm.
- The government plans to embank the shoreline to protect against erosion.
earth structure
An embank is a structure, usually made of earth, that is raised above the surrounding area. It is often built to support a roadway or to hold back water from rivers or other bodies of water. Embanks are essential for managing water flow and creating level surfaces for transportation. They can vary in size and purpose, from small mounds in gardens to large structures supporting highways or railroads.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The embank was built to support the train tracks.
- They walked along the embank, enjoying the view of the river.
- The wildlife near the embank thrives thanks to the habitat it creates.
- Workers are repairing the embank to ensure safety for travelers.
Translations
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Interesting Facts
Engineering
- Embankments are critical in civil engineering, often used in the construction of dams, roads, and railways.
- They help prevent flooding by keeping rivers contained and provide support for structures built above them.
Environmental Science
- Properly designed embankments can minimize soil erosion and protect coastal areas against storm surges.
- In some areas, embankments can create wetlands that support diverse ecosystems and biodiversity.
Historical Significance
- Ancient civilizations, such as the Mesopotamians, used embankments for irrigation and to protect their fields from flooding.
- The famous Great Wall of China incorporates earthen embankments as part of its defensive structure.
Art and Culture
- Embankments feature in various literary works as symbols of separation between land and water, reflecting human effort against nature.
- Artists often depict embankments in paintings to symbolize both protection and the fragility of human interventions in nature.
Origin of 'embank'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the combination of 'em-' which means 'to cause to be' and 'bank', referring to the banks of rivers.
- It first appeared in English texts around the mid-16th century, as a method to control water flow.
The word 'embank' derives from Middle English 'embacken', which combines the prefix 'em-' indicating 'to make or cause to be' and the root 'bank', which originated from Old Norse 'bakki' meaning 'bank, hill, or slope'. The transition from Old Norse to Middle English saw the term evolve in its usage, adapting to the context of civil engineering and land management. Since its first recorded use in the 15th century, 'embank' has been associated with activities aimed at controlling water flow and creating stable surfaces for transportation. Its practical applications in infrastructure development have expanded over the years, reflecting growing urban needs and environmental considerations.