sluice

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sluice / sloōs/ • n. 1. (also sluice gate) a sliding gate or other device for controlling the flow of water, esp. one in a lock gate. ∎  (also sluice·way) 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.• v. [tr.] 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. ∎  [intr.] (of water) pour, flow, or shower freely: the waves sluiced over them.

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