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channel1
n.1. the bed of a stream, river, or other waterway.2. Naut. a navigable route between two bodies of water.3. the deeper part of a waterway.4. a wide strait, as between a continent and an island.5. a course into which something may be directed: He hoped to direct the conversation to a new channel.6. a route through which anything passes or progresses: channels of trade.7. channels, the specific, prescribed, or official course or means of communication: In an emergency he was able to reach the governor without going through channels.8. a groove or furrow.9. a means of access: He considers the Senate a channel to the White House.10. Archit.a. a flute in a column, esp. one having no fillet between it and other flutes.b. any of the prominent vertical grooves in a triglyph.11. (in jazz or popular music) a bridge.12. a frequency band of sufficient width for one- or two-way communication from or to a transmitter used for television, radio, CB radio, telephone, or telegraph communication.13. Computers. a path for the transfer of signals or data within a computer or between a computer and its peripheral equipment.14. either of the two signals in stereophonic or any single signal in multichannel sound recording and reproduction.15. Cell Biol. a transient opening made by a protein embedded in a cell membrane, permitting passage of specific ions or molecules into or out of the cell: calcium channel.16. a tubular passage for liquids or fluids.17. Building Trades.a. any structural member, as one of reinforced concrete, having the form of three sides of a rectangle.b. a number of such members: channel in 100-foot lengths.c. See channel iron.v.t.18. to convey through or as through a channel: He channeled the information to us.19. to direct toward or into some particular course: to channel one's interests.20. to excavate as a channel.21. to form a channel in; groove.v.i.22. to become marked by a channel: Soft earth has a tendency to channel during a heavy rain.[1250-1300; ME chanel < OF < L canalis waterpipe; see CANAL]Syn. 8. trough, gash, cut. 18. route, direct, steer.channel2/chan"l/, n.a horizontal timber or ledge built outboard from the side of a sailing vessel to spread shrouds and backstays outward.Also, chain wale, chain-wale.[1760-70; var. of CHAIN WALE]
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(as used in expressions)stream channelthe ChannelSaint George's Channel* * *
Universalium. 2010.