flume
flume Lexical Profile
flume Game Scores & Validity
• noun
An artificial channel or chute conveying water, typically used for transporting logs, diverting streams, or as an amusement park ride.
"The lumberjacks built a wooden flume to quickly transport newly cut timber down the steep mountain to the sawmill."
A deep narrow ravine or gorge, especially one with a stream or torrent running through it.
"Hikers marveled at the sheer granite walls of the natural flume, which had been carved by centuries of rushing water."
• verb
To transport materials, such as logs or timber, down an artificial water channel.
"In the 19th century, logging companies routinely flumed timber down the steep slopes to the valley below to save on labor."
Word Nuance & Usage
While often used to refer to artificial amusement park rides or industrial water channels, 'flume' is also a valid geological term for a narrow, natural river gorge.
• Rhymes for flume
Word Origin & Etymology
Middle English (meaning 'river' or 'stream'), from Old French 'flum', ultimately from Latin 'flumen' meaning 'river', derived from the verb 'fluere' (to flow).
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.