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(chn"nl), n.[OE. chanel, canel, OF. chanel, F. chenel, fr. L. canalis. See Canal.] 1. The hollow bed where a stream of water runs or may run. 2. The deeper part of a river, harbor, strait, etc., where the main current flows, or which affords the best and safest passage for vessels. 3. (Geog.) A strait, or narrow sea, between two portions of lands; as, the British Channel. 4. That through which anything passes; means of passing, conveying, or transmitting; as, the news was conveyed to us by different channels. The veins are converging channels. Dalton. At best, he is but a channel to convey to the National assembly such matter as may import that body to know. Burke. 5. A gutter; a groove, as in a fluted column. 6. pl. [Cf. Chain wales.] (Naut.) Flat ledges of heavy plank bolted edgewise to the outside of a vessel, to increase the spread of the shrouds and carry them clear of the bulwarks. Channel bar, Channel iron (Arch.), an iron bar or beam having a section resembling a flat g Chan"nel v. t.[imp. & p. p.Channeled (), or Channelled; p. pr. & vb. n.Channeling, or Channelling.] 1. To form a channel in; to cut or wear a channel or channels in; to groove. No more shall trenching war channel her fields. Shak. 2. To course through or over, as in a channel. Cowper. スポンサード リンク
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