chan·nel
1 (chăńəl)
[Middle English chanel, from Old French, from Latin canālis; see canal.]
noun
- The bed of a stream or river.
- The deeper part of a river or harbor, especially a deep navigable passage.
- A broad strait, especially one that connects two seas.
- A trench, furrow, or groove.
- A tubular passage for liquids; a conduit.
- A course or pathway through which information is transmitted: new channels of thought; a reliable channel of information.
- A route of communication or access. Often used in the plural: took her request through official channels.
- In communications theory, a gesture, action, sound, written or spoken word, or visual image used in transmitting information.
- Electronics A specified frequency band for the transmission and reception of electromagnetic signals, as for television signals.
- Computer Science A site on a network, as on IRC, where online conversations are held in real time by a number of computer users.
- The medium through which a spirit guide purportedly communicates with the physical world.
- A rolled metal bar with a bracket-shaped section.
- A temporary opening in a cell membrane that allows ions or molecules to pass into or out of the cell.
transitive verb: -neled, also -nelled, -nel·ing, -nel·ling, -nels, -nels
- To make or cut channels in.
- To form a groove or flute in.
- To direct or guide along some desired course: channels her curiosity into research.
- To serve as a medium for (a spirit guide).
derivatives
- chańnel·er
- noun
chan·nel
2 (chăńəl)
[Alteration of obsolete chainwale, chain, + wale.]
noun
Nautical- A wood or steel ledge projecting from a sailing ship's sides to spread the shrouds and keep them clear of the gunwales.
