sluice

 
Pronunciation: /sluːs/

noun

  • 1 (also sluice gate) a sliding gate or other device for controlling the flow of water, especially one in a lock gate: the water gushed through the sluices lake levels are now regulated by sluices
  • (also sluiceway) an artificial water channel for carrying off overflow or surplus water.
  • (in gold mining) a channel or trough constructed with grooves into which a current of water is directed in order to separate gold from the ore containing it.
  • 2an act of rinsing or showering with water: a sluice with cold water

verb

[with object]
  • wash or rinse freely with a stream or shower of water: she sluiced her face in cold water crews sluiced down the decks of their ship
  • [no object, with adverbial of direction] (of water) pour or flow freely: the waves sluiced over them

Origin:

Middle English (as a noun): from Old French escluse 'sluice gate', based on Latin excludere 'exclude'. The verb dates from the late 16th century

Spelling help

Remember that sluice has an i after the u.