ferry-bridge
Definition
Noun: A ferry-bridge is a type of bridge or structure used to transport railroad cars or other vehicles across a waterway, often by means of a ferry that carries them directly onto a floating platform or bridge section.
Usage Examples
- (A bridge-like structure used to load trains onto a ferry.)
- (A specialized bridge for transferring vehicles onto a ferry.)
Advanced Usage
- "ferry-bridge system": a network of such structures used for continuous transport.
- The ferry-bridge system allowed trains to cross the estuary without stopping. (The system of bridges and ferries facilitated uninterrupted rail travel.)
Variants and Related Words
- Ferry (n): a boat or ship that carries people, vehicles, or goods across a body of water.
- We took the ferry to the island. (A passenger and vehicle boat.)
- Bridge (n): a structure carrying a road, path, or railway across a river, road, or other obstacle.
- The old stone bridge was rebuilt last year. (A fixed crossing structure.)
Synonyms
- Train ferry: a ferry specifically designed to carry railway cars.
- Car float: a barge used to transport railroad cars across a waterway (often used in North America).
Related Idioms
- Cross that bridge when you come to it: to deal with a problem only when it arises.
- We haven't planned for the ferry-bridge repairs yet; we'll cross that bridge when we come to it. (We will address the issue later.)
Phrasal Verbs
- Ferry across: to transport (someone or something) across a body of water using a ferry.
- The barge ferried the train cars across the river. (Moved them using a ferry.)
Note: "Ferry-bridge" is a compound noun and is used as a single lexical item; it does not have separate verb or adjective forms.