bridge
UK[brɪdʒ]US[brɪdʒ]
n
A structure built over a river, road, or railway to allow people and vehicles to cross from one side to the other.
n
Something that makes it easier to make a connection or create understanding between two different things or groups.
v
To reduce or get rid of the difference between two things.
Etymology
The modern English word 'bridge' descends directly from the Old English 'brycg', which carried the same core meaning of a structure for crossing. This Old English term has cognates in other Germanic languages, such as Old Saxon 'bruggia', Old Norse 'bryggja', and Dutch 'brug'. The ultimate origin is traced back to the Proto-Germanic 'brugjō', and further to the Proto-Indo-European root 'bʰruH-', which is thought to be related to the concept of a log or beam. The semantic logic is beautifully direct: the original physical object, a log or beam laid across a stream, evolved into the term for the engineered structure it became, and later metaphorically extended to mean anything that connects or spans a gap.
Analysis
The word 'bridge' is a simplex word of Old English origin. It cannot be meaningfully segmented into smaller, independent morphemes within its modern English spelling.
Examples
The old stone bridge across the river is a popular tourist attraction.
Cultural exchanges can serve as a bridge between nations.
The new policy aims to bridge the gap between the rich and the poor.