Meaning

• Noun

  1. An artificial passage for water, fitted with a valve or gate, for example in a canal lock or a mill stream, for stopping or regulating the flow.
  2. A water gate or floodgate.
  3. Hence, an opening or channel through which anything flows; a source of supply.
  4. The stream flowing through a floodgate.
  5. A long box or trough through which water flows, used for washing auriferous earth.
  6. An instance of wh-stranding ellipsis, or sluicing.

• Verb