‖ digue
[F. digue, in OF. also dique, a. Flem. dijk, dike q.v.]
= dike. (In reference to Holland, Flanders, or France. Now only used for local colouring.)
| 1523 Ld. Berners Froiss. 4 b/1 With the fyrste flodde they came before the Digues of Holande [pr. Dignes; hence Grafton Chron. II. 210 dignesse]. 1645 City Alarum 10 Opposing a Digue to stop the torrent. 1673 Temple Obs. United Prov. Wks. 1731 I. 13 In Zealand they absolutely gave over the working at their Digues. 1702 Dennis Monument xvi. 8 Whose stately Tow'rs Are to the Storms of Arbitrary Pow'r, What its Digues are to the Tempestuous Main. 1886 Athenæum 22 May 686/1 Girls gossiping on the digue of stone which defends the place against the sea. |