Pronunciation: [slˈuːs] (IPA) 
The word "sluice" is spelled with the letters S-L-U-I-C-E. The IPA phonetic transcription for this word is /slus/, with the "s" sound at the beginning, followed by a "l" sound, a "y" sound similar to the "u" in "butter", and then a "s" sound again. The "c" at the end is pronounced as an "s" sound. A sluice is a channel or a gate used to control the flow of water, often in mining or agriculture.
A sluice is a channel or conduit used for controlling the flow of water, typically in the context of diverting or regulating the movement of water in various settings. It is usually constructed with a series of gates, barriers, or traps that enable users to manipulate the amount or direction of water flow. Sluices are commonly found in rivers, canals, and waterways, but can also be implemented in mining or irrigation systems.
Functioning as a water management tool, sluices are designed to serve multiple purposes. They may be employed to regulate the water level in a navigable watercourse by controlling the opening or closing of gates. Additionally, sluices can assist in preventing flooding by redirecting excess water into alternative channels or reservoirs. For mining purposes, sluices facilitate the separation and extraction of valuable minerals or metals from other sediments by utilizing flowing water to wash away unwanted materials and concentrate the desired elements.
The term "sluice" can also be used as a verb, describing the act of diverting or regulating water flow through a sluice gate or similar mechanism. In this sense, to sluice means to control or direct water in a controlled manner for various purposes, such as irrigation, navigation, or drainage.
Overall, sluices play a vital role in efficiently managing water movement and are essential tools in numerous industries and water management systems.
• A gate for the purpose of excluding or regulating the flow of water in a river, a canal, &c.; a source of supply; that through which anything flows.
• To open, as a flood-gate; to overwhelm; to wet abundantly.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "sluice" dates back to Middle English, derived from the Old French word "escluse". The Old French term was ultimately derived from the Late Latin word "exclusa", meaning "a barrier or gate". The Late Latin word, in turn, comes from the Latin verb "excludere", meaning "to shut out" or "to exclude". This Latin verb is a combination of the prefix "ex-", meaning "out of", and the verb "cludere", meaning "to close" or "to shut". Over time, the spelling and pronunciation of "escluse" transformed into "sluice" in English, while the meaning shifted to specifically refer to a water channel or gate used for controlling the flow of water.
