Definition of Floodgate

1. Noun. Something that restrains a flood or outpouring. "Suspension of surveillance opened the floodgates to illegal immigrants"

Generic synonyms: Restraint

2. Noun. Regulator consisting of a valve or gate that controls the rate of water flow through a sluice.
Exact synonyms: Head Gate, Penstock, Sluice Valve, Sluicegate, Water Gate
Generic synonyms: Regulator
Group relationships: Penstock, Sluice, Sluiceway

Definition of Floodgate

1. Noun. An adjustable gate or valve used to control the flow of water through a sluice. ¹

2. Noun. (context: by extension) Anything that controls or limits an outpouring of people, emotion etc. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Floodgate

1. [n -S]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Floodgate

flood in
flood lamp
flood out
flood plain
flood plains
flood stage
flood test
flood tide
flood tides
floodable
floodage
flooded
flooded gum
flooder
flooders
floodgate (current term)
floodgates
floodhead
flooding
floodings
floodlight
floodlighted
floodlighting
floodlights
floodlike
floodlit
floodmark
floodmarks
floodplain
floodplains

Literary usage of Floodgate

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Travels in Kashmir, Ladak, Iskardo, the Countries Adjoining the Mountain by Godfrey Thomas Vigne (1842)
"... in Kashmir—Its consequences—The Apple-tree Canal—Ruined floodgate—The Amir's Bridge—Fort and octagonal Tower—Visiting Etiquette—Importance of Display—. ..."

2. The British Angler's Manual, Or, The Art of Angling in England, Scotland by Thomas Christopher Hofland (1839)
"The accompanying vignette is a floodgate on the Colne, near Rickmansworth. Farther down the stream (which has several branches) are Cowley and Drayton Mills ..."

3. Ures̓ Dictionary of Arts, Manufactures and Mines: Containing a Clear by Andrew Ure (1867)
"... and in the whole of Savoy, a floodgate is fitted into the The ordinary height of the trompe apparatus is about 26 or 27 feet to the upper level of the ..."

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