gutter
English meaning: Gutter
Definition
A prepared channel in a surface, especially at the side of a road adjacent to a curb, intended for the drainage of water.
Example
“He climbed a ladder to clear the leaves clogging the gutter.”
Another example: “Tabloids were dismissed as nothing but the gutter press.”
Usage — When, Where & How
A noun for a channel that carries away rainwater, either along a roof's edge or a roadside; figuratively, 'the gutter' suggests poverty or low moral conditions ('gutter press', 'born in the gutter'). Also a verb (a candle 'gutters'). Neutral register.
Etymology & Origin
English — Origin & History
From Old French 'goutiere' (channel for water), from 'goute' (drop), from Latin 'gutta' (drop); in English from the 13th century.
Synonyms
- channel
- trough
- drain
- conduit
- ditch
Related Words
- fro
- stour
- oliva
- gangsta
- rainwater
- curb
- eaves
- hello
- drain
- twins
Common Collocations
- roof gutter
- clean the gutters
- gutter press
- clogged gutter
- fall in the gutter
- gutter and downpipe
Word Forms
gutter (n & v); gutters; guttered; guttering
Word Tools
Literary Heritage
“To thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou canst not then be false to any man.”
/To thine own self be true/
“Be honest with yourself — and as naturally as night follows day, you will be unable to be false to others.”
“I'm nobody! Who are you? Are you nobody, too?”
/I'm nobody! Who are you?/
“I am nobody — and that quiet anonymity is more honest than the noise of public fame.”
Images
CC-licensed · free to useVideo
Language information
- Language
- English
- English
- Script
- Latin
- Family
- Indo-European
- Speakers
- 1.5B