culvert
noun
- structure that allows water to flow under an obstruction
Wiktionary
Pronunciation: /ˈkʌlvə(ɹ)t/
noun
Etymology: Origin obscure, with a number of possible etymologies suggested: * a dialectal word, * a word related to the name of the now-forgotten inventor, * a derivation from French couvert (“covered”), although couvert is not used in this sense and the French translation of culvert is ponceau or buse de drainage, * a derivation from an unrecorded Dutch word, possibly *coul-vaart, a combination of Dutch coul-, from French couler (“to flow”), and Dutch vaart (“a trip by boat, a canal”).
- A channel crossing under a road or railway for the draining of water.
“A raft of twigs stayed upon a stone, suddenly detached itself, and floated towards the culvert.”
“After she left, I ran away for a day, and hid myself, solitary, in a culvert under the railway lines.”
verb
Etymology: Origin obscure, with a number of possible etymologies suggested: * a dialectal word, * a word related to the name of the now-forgotten inventor, * a derivation from French couvert (“covered”), although couvert is not used in this sense and the French translation of culvert is ponceau or buse de drainage, * a derivation from an unrecorded Dutch word, possibly *coul-vaart, a combination of Dutch coul-, from French couler (“to flow”), and Dutch vaart (“a trip by boat, a canal”).
- To channel (a stream of water) through a culvert.
“This led to a great deal of straightening and culverting, which in turn led to a massive loss of biodiversity.”