waterbreak

noun7

1. •
   A breakwater.

   • Since the islet has a 720 meter long waterbreak connecting the land and the islet it attracts many visitors during summertime. — 1968
2. •
   A barrier built across a steeply sloping road or trail in order to direct the flow of water and prevent erosion.

   • A waterbreak should be extended far enough into the bank on the upper side of the trail to prevent water from cutting around it. — 1937
3. •
   Any artificially constructed system or device to halt the destructive flow of water.

   • Later, about 75 years ago, Ralph's grandfather built "waterbreaks" on his farm, which are the nearest things to broad-base terraces you can imagine. — 1943
4. •
   A break in the smooth surface of a body of water, such as a ripple, whitecap, or the roughness that results from water flowing over an uneven surface.

   • And here and there a foamy flake Upon me, as I travel With many a silvery waterbreak Above the golden gravel,... — 1854
5. •
   The formation of beads of water on a smooth surface, especially when used as an indicator of impurities on the surface.

   • A slurry of 10 grams of powder in 100 milliliters distilled water was carried on a cotton swab and the panels scrubbed until free from waterbreak when rinsed. — 1960
6. •
   The time elapsed from an underwater explosion or seismic event until the arrival of the resulting energy wave at a hydrophonic detector.

   • Included in the display will be an active underwater buoy, a depth sensor waterbreak hydrophones unit, and a waterbreak converter. — 1969
7. •
   (no longer used) A pothole or similar break in a road's surface caused by rainwater washing away the surface of the road.

   • Many of the entrants drove unusually reckless down the mountains and the unexpected waterbreaks jarred their cars more than 100 miles of rational touring. — 1908