Main Entry: ¹bridge

Pronunciation: \ˈbrij\

Function: noun

Etymology: Middle English brigge, from Old English brycg; akin to Old High German brucka bridge, Old Church Slavic brŭvŭno beam

Date: before 12th century

1 a : a structure carrying a pathway or roadway over a depression or obstacle b : a time, place, or means of connection or transition
2 : something resembling a bridge in form or function: as a : the upper bony part of the nose; also : the part of a pair of glasses that rests upon it b : a piece raising the strings of a musical instrument — see violin illustration c : the forward part of a ship's superstructure from which the ship is navigated d : gantry 2b e : the hand as a rest for a billiards or pool cue; also : a device used as a cue rest
3 a : a musical passage linking two sections of a composition b : a partial denture anchored to adjacent teeth c : a connection (as an atom or group of atoms) that joins two different parts of a molecule (as opposite sides of a ring)
4 : an electrical instrument or network for measuring or comparing resistances, inductances, capacitances, or impedances by comparing the ratio of two opposing voltages to a known ratio

— bridge·less \-ləs\ adjective

[bridge illustration]