sluice
Pronunciation: (sls), [key] — n., v., sluiced, sluic•ing.
—n. - an artificial channel for conducting water, often fitted with a gate at the upper end for regulating the flow.
- the body of water held back or controlled by a sluice gate.
- any contrivance for regulating a flow from or into a receptacle.
- a channel, esp. one carrying off surplus water; drain.
- a stream of surplus water.
- an artificial stream or channel of water for moving solid matter: a lumbering sluice.
- Also calleda long, sloping trough or the like, with grooves on the bottom, into which water is directed to separate gold from gravel or sand.
—v.t. - to let out (water) by or as if by opening a sluice.
- to drain (a pond, lake, etc.) by or as if by opening a sluice.
- to open a sluice upon.
- to flush or cleanse with a rush of water: to sluice the decks of a boat.
- to wash in a sluice.
- to send (logs) down a sluiceway.
—v.i. - to flow or pour through or as if through a sluice.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.