Emily Dickinson Lexicon

BREAK'WA-TER, n. [break and water.]

1. The hull of an old vessel sunk at the entrance of a harbor, to break or diminish the force of the waves, to secure the vessels in harbor. – Mar. Dict.
2. A small buoy fastened to a large one, when the rope of the latter is not long enough to reach the surface of the water. – Mar. Dict.
3. Any mole, mound or wall, raised in a river or estuary, or harbor, to break the force of the waves, and protect shipping, &c.