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   sluice

   /slo͞os/

   noun

   • 1. a sliding gate or other device for controlling the flow of water, especially one in a lock gate: "the water gushed through the sluices"
   • ▪ 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 sand or gravel containing it.
   • 2. an act of rinsing or showering with water: "a sluice with cold water"

   verb

   • 1. wash or rinse freely with a stream or shower of water: "she sluiced her face in cold water" Similar washwash downrinseswill downcleancleanseflush
   • ▪ (of water) pour, flow, or shower freely: "the waves sluiced over them" Similar pourflowrungushcascadestreamcoursespoutjetspurtfloodsurgespillrushwellspewdischargeinformal:slooshrare:disembogue

   Word 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.

   Scrabble Points: 8

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