Sluiced: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• The word derives from the Middle Dutch 'sluys', meaning 'sluice' or 'gate', which controlled water flow.
• It entered English in the 16th century, initially referring to gates used to manage water.
• Over time, it evolved to include the action of allowing water to flow freely.

Engineering

• Sluices are crucial in managing waterways for agriculture, preventing flooding, and navigating boats.
• Canals often utilize sluices to control the water level and flow, showcasing human ingenuity in landscape management.
• Modern sluice gates are commonly made from reinforced concrete and are essential for dam construction.

Environmental Science

• Sluicing is used in ecosystems to enhance fish migration by allowing natural water flow.
• Water management techniques, including sluicing, are vital in sustainable agriculture to prevent soil erosion.
• Scientific studies often focus on sluicing effects on sediment transport and river health.

Cultural References

• Sluicing appears in literature to describe floods or heavy rains that cause channels to overflow.
• Music and poetry frequently use 'sluiced' to evoke imagery of overflowing emotions or chaotic experiences.
• In some slang, 'sluice' represents rapid movements in nightlife, like rushing through a crowded area.

Historical Context

• Historically, sluice designs evolved with advances in hydraulic engineering, becoming pivotal in urban development.
• Notable historical examples include sluices used in mines during the Gold Rush for separating gold from sediment.
• Ancient civilizations, such as the Romans, also employed sluice systems to irrigate crops and control water supply.