I. noun
also shute ˈshüt, usu -üd.+V
( -s )
Etymology: French, from Old French, feminine of chu, past participle of cheoir to fall, from Latin cadere — more at chance
1.
a. : fall 3b
b. : a quick descent (as in a river), steep channel, or narrow sloping passage by which water falls to a lower level : rapid
2. : an artificial or natural inclined plane, sloping channel, or partially or completely covered passage (as a trough, framework) down or through which substances or bodies (as water, coal, ore, grain, or logs) may pass or slide usually to a lower level : flume , slide
3.
a. : a narrow high-walled passageway or similar device for holding or restraining animals (as cattle for branding or dehorning)
b. : a straight extension of the home stretch of a race track : an extension of the straightaway portion of an oval running track
c. : ore shoot
4.
[by shortening]
: parachute
II. verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
transitive verb
: to convey by a chute
intransitive verb
1. : to go in or as if in a chute
2. : to utilize a chute (as by passing ore down it)
•
- chute the chutes