Definition

1. Noun:
   • A small dyke surrounding a main dyke: A secondary, smaller embankment built around or near a primary, larger dyke to provide additional protection, reinforcement, or to manage water flow.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • Để tăng cường bảo vệ, người ta xây dựng một con đê quai bao quanh đê chính. (To enhance protection, they built a small surrounding dyke around the main dyke.)
  • Nước sông dâng cao, nhưng nhờ có đê quai nên khu vực bên trong vẫn an toàn. (The river water rose high, but thanks to the surrounding small dyke, the inner area remained safe.)

Advanced Usage

• This term is highly specific to the field of hydrology, water management, and civil engineering, particularly in the context of flood defense systems in Vietnam and similar geographical regions.

Variants and Related Words

• Đê (n): Dyke, levee. The main embankment.
• Kè (n): Revetment, embankment protection.
• Đập (n): Dam.

Synonyms

• Batardeau (n): This is the direct French equivalent used in engineering contexts, meaning a cofferdam or a small temporary dyke.
• Secondary dyke / Auxiliary dyke (n): Descriptive English terms conveying the same function.

Related Phrases / Compound Terms

• Hệ thống đê quai: A system of surrounding/satellite dykes.
• Xây đê quai: To build a surrounding small dyke.

Notes on Meaning

• The term 'đê quai' refers specifically to a structure that is ancillary and physically associated with a larger primary dyke. It is not a standalone structure. Its primary purpose is supplementary defense and water control for the main embankment.

1. Small dyke surrounding a big one