Forms: α. 5 get(t)ey, gette(e, gete(e, getty, 6 git(t)ie, 6–7 gettie. β. 5–6 iette, 7–9 jettee, (8 -ée, 8–9 jetée). γ. 6 iettye, 6–7 -ie, 7– jetty. See also JUTTY. [a. OF. getee, jetee the action of throwing, a thrown out or projecting part of a building (1392 in Godef.), a structure of wood or stone made to straighten the bed of a stream, or to protect the entrance of a harbor (1450 in Godef., Compl.), subst. use of fem. of pa. pple. of jeter to throw: see JET v.2 From the 18th c. sometimes treated as French and written with -ée.]
1. a. A mole, pier, or the like, constructed at the entrance of a harbor, or running out into the sea or a lake, so as to defend the harbor or coast; a similar structure running into a river so as to divert the current from a threatened part of the bank; an outwork of piles or timber protecting a pier, a starling. b. A projecting part of a wharf; a landing-pier, a timber pier of slight construction.
α. 1412–20. Lydg., Chron. Troy, II. xxi. (MS. Digby 230), lf. 99/1. He vnwarly smet vpon the londe On the getees [MS. Digby 232 Gettys] and þe drye sonde þat hise shipes sheuered alle asoundre.
1450. Rolls Parlt., V. 187/1. In makyng and repairyng of a Getey, in defensyng of the seid Towne of Melcombe ayenst the flowyng of the See.
1541. Act 33 Hen. VIII., c. 33. The maintenance … of the … clowes sloweses gettiez gutters goottes and other fortrasses.
β. 1478. Botoner, Itin. (Nasmith, 1778), 125. Mem. from Pensance to Seynt Yves jette 6 myle.
1713. Steele, Englishman, No. 31. 203. Two Peer Heads, commonly called the Jettées.
1772. Hutton, Bridges, 95. Jettee, the border made around … a pier, being the same with Sterling. Ibid., 99. To surround a stone pier with a sterling or jettee.
1791. R. Mylne, Rep. Thames & Isis, 52. There should be several Jettees thrown up, to confine the Stream, where it spreads too wide.
1804. Burgomasters’ Petit., in Allnutt, Improv. Navig. Thames (1805), 10. Such Jettees or Weir Hedges create very rapid and dangerous Currents.
1887. J. Ball, Nat. in S. Amer., 267. Until the jetée … should be finished.
γ. 1692. Ray, Dissol. World (1732), 221. There were found Jettys, as they call them to keep up the old River-Bank.
1755. Robertson, in Phil. Trans., XLIX. 353. Near the borders of the dock, bason, and jetties.
1867. Herschel, Fam. Lect. Sc., Volcanoes, 38. Three thousand people had taken refuge on a new stone quay or jetty just completed at great expense.
1875. J. H. Bennet, Winter Medit., II. xi. 337. A small and secure harbour, but so narrowed by the jetty that … the entrance is … difficult.
c. transf. and fig.
1587. Golding, De Mornay, viii. (1617), 112. [They] did serue rather for a Banke or Iettie against the ouerflowing of the Germanes.
1833. J. Hodgson, in J. Raine, Mem. (1858), II. 314. Jetties or binks of hard rock here and there protrude from the line of the perpendicular scars.
† 2. A projecting part of a building; esp. an overhanging upper storey. Obs.
c. 1440. Promp. Parv., 192/1. Getee of a solere (K., H., P. gete), techa, procer.
1462. in C. Welch, Tower Bridge (1894), 108. Large gettes hangeing over the strete there.
1598. Florio, Barbacane,… an outnooke or corner standing out of a house, a iettie.
1657. Howell, Londinop., 393. They [Wardmote Inquest] are to inquire … if any Porch, Pent-house, or Jetty be too low, in letting of Passengers that ride, or Carts.
1664. Evelyn, trans. Freart’s Archit., 137. Such monstrous jetties and excessive Superstructures as we many times find under Balconies, [etc.].
1677. Boston Rec. (1881), VII. 109. The widdow Walker hath set vp 4 posts vpon the towne land to support the Gettie of her house.
transf. 1615. Crooke, Body of Man, 433. The round head they call in Greeke στρογγύλον because it hath no προβολή or ietty eyther in the forehead or in the nowle.
† 3. A bulwark or bastion, Obs.
1550. Edw. VI., Lit. Rem., Jrnl. (Roxb.), 307. At the west gitie [or Cales] there should bee another gittie which should defend the vitaylers of the towne … frome shott from the sandhills.
1736. T. Prince, New Eng. Chronol., an. 1622. Made four bulwarks or jetties, whence we can defend the whole town.
1867. R. Palmer, Life Philip Howard, 52. Henry VI. granted them land … to build a tower and jettee.
4. attrib. and Comb., as jetty-end; jetty-head (see quot. 1769); † jetty-wise adv., in the manner of a jetty or projection.
1667. C. Merret, in Phil. Trans., II. 465. The Garret-windows are Jetty-wise.
1769. Falconer, Dict. Marine (1789), Jetty-head, a name … given, in the royal dock-yards, to that part of a wharf which projects beyond the rest; but more particularly the front of a wharf, whose side forms one of the cheeks of a dry or wet dock.
1884. Stevenson, Lett., To C. Monkhouse, 16 March (1899), I. 311. I at the jetty end, and one or two of my bold blades keeping the crowd at bay.
