water-gate

A worker opens the water-gate to control the flow in the canal.

Definition

1. Noun:
   • A floodgate or sluice gate: "water-gate" refers to a gate or valve used to control the flow of water, especially in a canal, dam, or lock system. It is typically a movable barrier that can be opened or closed to regulate water levels or passage.
   • A gate giving access to water: In a more general sense, it can mean a gate or entrance that leads to a body of water, such as a river, lake, or harbor.

Usage Examples

• (They operated the floodgate to control water flow.)
• (The sluice gate was stuck and blocked passage.)
• (We passed through the entrance leading to the water.)

Advanced Usage

• "to open the water-gate": to release a flow of water, often used metaphorically to mean allowing something to begin or intensify.
  • The new policy opened the water-gate for widespread reforms. (The policy initiated a flood of changes.)
• "water-gate scandal": This is a specific historical reference to the Watergate scandal (1970s U.S. political scandal). Note: When capitalized as "Watergate," it is a proper noun referring to the building and the event, not the literal gate. In this context, it is not a compound word but a distinct term.

Variants and Related Words

• Watergate (proper noun): The name of a hotel and office complex in Washington, D.C., and the political scandal associated with it.
  • The Watergate scandal led to the resignation of President Nixon. (Refers to the historical event.)
• Floodgate (n): a synonym for a water-gate, specifically designed to control flooding.
  • The floodgate was closed to prevent the river from overflowing. (Similar function to a water-gate.)
• Sluice (n): a channel or gate for controlling water flow, often used in mining or irrigation.
  • The sluice gate directed water into the mill race. (A related structure.)

Synonyms

• Floodgate: a gate used to control water flow, especially to prevent flooding.
• Sluice gate: a gate in a sluice that regulates water flow.
• Lock gate: a gate in a canal lock that allows boats to pass between different water levels.

Phrasal Verbs

• Gate off: to close off an area with a gate (not specific to water-gates, but related).
  • They gated off the canal entrance with a water-gate. (They used a gate to block access.)

Related Idioms

• Open the floodgates: to allow something to happen freely or in large amounts.
  • The court’s decision opened the floodgates for similar lawsuits. (Metaphorically, it allowed many cases to proceed.)