gutter
gutter Lexical Profile
gutter Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A shallow trough fixed beneath the edge of a roof for carrying off rainwater.
"After the heavy autumn storm, he climbed the ladder to clear the dead leaves from the gutter."
A shallow channel at the side of a street or road designed to catch and carry off surface water.
"The sudden torrential downpour quickly overwhelmed the storm drains, causing the street gutter to flood."
The lowest, most vulgar, or morally degraded level of human life or society.
"The tabloid magazine was often accused of dragging political journalism into the gutter."
• verb
To flicker and burn unsteadily, often causing wax to melt rapidly down the sides (typically of a candle).
"The single candle guttered in the draft from the broken window before finally plunging the room into darkness."
To flow or run in streams.
"Rainwater guttered down the steep slopes of the ravine during the flash flood."
To channel or cut grooves into a surface.
"Centuries of relentless waterfalls had guttered the once smooth face of the limestone cliff."
• Rhymes for gutter
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'gotere', via Old French 'gotiere' (a channel for water), ultimately from the Latin word 'gutta', meaning 'a drop'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.