dyke

¹

[ dahyk ]

noun

, dyked, dyk·ing.

1. dike ¹.

dyke

²

[ dahyk ]

noun

, Slang: Disparaging and Offensive.

1. a contemptuous term used to refer to a lesbian.

dyke

¹

/ daɪk /

noun

1. an embankment constructed to prevent flooding, keep out the sea, etc
2. a ditch or watercourse
3. a bank made of earth excavated for and placed alongside a ditch
4. a wall, esp a dry-stone wall
5. a barrier or obstruction
6. a vertical or near-vertical wall-like body of igneous rock intruded into cracks in older rock
7. informal.
   1. a lavatory
   2. ( as modifier )

      a dyke roll

verb

1. civil engineering an embankment or wall built to confine a river to a particular course
2. tr to protect, enclose, or drain (land) with a dyke

dyke

²

/ daɪk /

noun

1. slang.
   a lesbian

Dyke

³

/ dɑɪk /

noun

1. DykeGreg(ory)1947MBritishFILMS AND TV: television executive Greg ( ory ). born 1947, British television executive; director-general of the BBC (2000–04)

Sensitive Note

The terms dyke and bull dyke are used with disparaging intent and are perceived as insulting. However, they have been adopted as positive terms of self-reference by young or radical lesbians and in the academic community. In the mainstream gay community, lesbian and gay remain the terms of choice.

Other Words From

• dyk·ey adjective dykier dykiest

Word History and Origins

Origin of dyke¹

First recorded in 1940–45; earlier in form bulldike (with a variant bulldagger ); of obscure origin; claimed to be a shortening of morphodyke (variant of morphodite, a reshaping of hermaphrodite ), though morphodyke is more likely a blend of morphodite and a preexisting dyke; other hypothesized connections, such as with diked out or dike “ditch,” are dubious on semantic grounds

Word History and Origins

Origin of dyke¹

C13: modification of Old English dic ditch; compare Old Norse dīki ditch

Origin of dyke²

C20: of unknown origin

Example Sentences

She told a story of a fellow employee who identifies as a butch dyke (a lesbian who takes on a more masculine identity).

From The Daily Beast

It would be fun to talk to the Carl Reiners of the world, going back to Dick Van Dyke.

From The Daily Beast

As the car passes the Super All Drugs, Butch Trucks cranes around to stare at a flamboyant leather dyke.

From The Daily Beast

When my friend told the cis dyke that she was in fact a trans woman, the cis dyke seemed to immediately lose interest.

From The Daily Beast

But Van Dyke has also been the target of blistering criticism from those who see him as less freedom fighter and more war tourist.

From The Daily Beast

The great dyke which kept out arbitrary power had been broken.

From Project Gutenberg

Dyke Acland's mark is an anchor on the near side of each of his large herd of ponies, on Exmoor.

From Project Gutenberg

As we came on board we saw our ambassador, Mr. Van Dyke, tell some of his friends goodbye and wish them Godspeed.

From Project Gutenberg

Mr. Van Dyke and his clerks, assisted by boy scouts, were working overtime to gratify all these demands.

From Project Gutenberg

A wherry sweeping down the dyke with peak lowered leaves us but scant room to pass as we sail back to Heigham Sounds.

From Project Gutenberg