( BrE also can·al·ise ) / ˈkænəlaɪz; NAmE / verb [ vn ]
1.
( technical ) to make a river wider, deeper or straighter; to make a river into a canal
2.
( formal ) to control an emotion, activity, etc. so that it is aimed at a particular purpose
SYN channel
► can·al·iza·tion , can·al·isa·tion / ˌkænəlaɪˈzeɪʃn; NAmE -nələˈz-/ noun [ U ]
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WORD ORIGIN
mid 19th cent.: from French canaliser , from canal channel, alteration of chanel channel, from Latin canalis pipe, groove, channel, from canna cane.