n.
Pronunciation: ' slüs
Function: noun
Etymology: Middle English sluse, alteration of scluse, from Anglo-French escluse, from Late Latin exclusa, from Latin, feminine of exclusus, past participle of excludere to exclude
Date: 15th century
1 a : an artificial passage for water (as in a millstream) fitted with a valve or gate for stopping or regulating flow b : a body of water pent up behind a floodgate
2 : a dock gate : FLOODGATE
3 a : a stream flowing through a floodgate b : a channel to drain or carry off surplus water
4 : a long inclined trough usually on the ground especially : such a contrivance paved usually with riffles to hold quicksilver for catching gold