I. gut ‧ ter 1 /ˈɡʌtə $ -ər/ BrE AmE noun
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: goutiere , from goute 'drop' ; ⇨ ↑ gout ]
1 . [countable] the low part at the edge of a road where water collects and flows away:
The gutters were blocked and overflowing.
2 .
[countable] an open pipe fixed to the edge of a roof to collect and carry away rainwater
3 . the gutter the bad social conditions of the lowest and poorest level of society:
Men like him usually ended up in jail – or the gutter.
4 . the gutter press British English the newspapers that print shocking stories about people’s personal lives – used to show disapproval ⇨ tabloid
II. gutter 2 BrE AmE verb [intransitive]
literary if a ↑ candle gutters, it burns with an unsteady flame