Channel

n. [A different spelling, or a modification, of canal, q. v.]

1Sense 1. The bed of a stream of water; especially the deeper part of a river or bay, where the main current flows.

2Sense 2. (Geog.) A strait or narrow sea between two portions of land; as, the British Channel.

3Sense 3. That through which any thing passes; means of passing, conveying, or transmitting; as, the news was conveyed to us by different channels.

At best, he is but a channel to convey to the National Assembly such matter as may import that body to know. Burke.

4Sense 4. (Arch.) A gutter or furrow in, as in a column.

5Sense 5. (pl.) (Naut.) Broad pieces of plank bolted edge-wise to the outside of a vessel, and used for spreading the lower rigging. Dana.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. CHANNELED, or CHANNELLED; p. pr. & vb. n. CHANNELING, or CHANNELLING.] To form a channel in; to cut channels in; to groove; as, to channel a field or a column.