n.
- a length of water wider than a strait, joining two larger areas of water, especially two seas.
▸
(the Channel)
the English Channel.
▸a navigable passage in a stretch of water otherwise unsafe for vessels.
- a band of frequencies used in radio and television transmission, especially as used by a particular station.
- a medium for communication or the passage of information.
- an electric circuit which acts as a path for a signal.
- Biology a tubular passage or duct for liquid.
v.
(channels, channelling, channelled; US channels, channeling, channeled)
- direct towards a particular end.
▸cause to pass along or through a specified route or medium:
many countries channel their aid through charities.
-
[usu. as adj. channelled]
form channels or grooves in.
- (in spiritualism) serve as a medium for (a spirit).
▸emulate or seem to be inspired by:
Meg Ryan plays Avery as if she's channelling Nicole Kidman.
Derivative
Etymology
ME: from OFr. chanel, from L. canalis ‘pipe, groove, channel’, from canna (see cane); cf. canal.