channel 1
— channeler; esp. Brit., channeller , n.
/chan"l/ , n. , v. , channeled, channeling or ( esp. Brit. ) channelled, channelling .
n.
1. the bed of a stream, river, or other waterway.
2. Naut. a navigable route between two bodies of water.
3. the deeper part of a waterway.
4. a wide strait, as between a continent and an island.
5. a course into which something may be directed: He hoped to direct the conversation to a new channel.
6. a route through which anything passes or progresses: channels of trade.
7. channels , the specific, prescribed, or official course or means of communication: In an emergency he was able to reach the governor without going through channels.
8. a groove or furrow.
9. a means of access: He considers the Senate a channel to the White House.
10. Archit.
a. a flute in a column, esp. one having no fillet between it and other flutes.
b. any of the prominent vertical grooves in a triglyph.
11. (in jazz or popular music) a bridge.
12. a frequency band of sufficient width for one- or two-way communication from or to a transmitter used for television, radio, CB radio, telephone, or telegraph communication.
13. Computers. a path for the transfer of signals or data within a computer or between a computer and its peripheral equipment.
14. either of the two signals in stereophonic or any single signal in multichannel sound recording and reproduction.
15. Cell Biol. a transient opening made by a protein embedded in a cell membrane, permitting passage of specific ions or molecules into or out of the cell: calcium channel.
16. a tubular passage for liquids or fluids.
17. Building Trades.
a. any structural member, as one of reinforced concrete, having the form of three sides of a rectangle.
b. a number of such members: channel in 100-foot lengths.
c. See channel iron .
v.t.
18. to convey through or as through a channel: He channeled the information to us.
19. to direct toward or into some particular course: to channel one's interests.
20. to excavate as a channel.
21. to form a channel in; groove.
v.i.
22. to become marked by a channel: Soft earth has a tendency to channel during a heavy rain.
[ 1250-1300; ME chanel canalis waterpipe; see CANAL ]
Syn. 8. trough, gash, cut. 18. route, direct, steer.
channel 2
/chan"l/ , n.
a horizontal timber or ledge built outboard from the side of a sailing vessel to spread shrouds and backstays outward.
Also, chain wale, chain-wale .
[ 1760-70; var. of CHAIN WALE ]