gutter
UK: ˈɡʌtə | US: ˈɡʌtər
n. a shallow trough fixed under the edge of a roof to carry off rainwater
n. a channel at the side of a street for carrying off surface water
n. (figurative) a low or degraded state or condition
vt. to flow in streams or rivulets
vt. to provide with gutters
gutter = gut<channel> + er<noun suffix>
- gut (from Old English guttas, meaning "channel" or "passage")
- er (agentive suffix, often indicating a tool or place associated with the root)
Etymology Origin:
The word "gutter" traces back to Old English goter or gutere, derived from guttas (meaning "bowels" or "channel"), reflecting its function as a passage for water. Over time, it specialized to describe roof drainage systems and street channels. The figurative sense of "low moral or social state" emerged in the 16th century, likening degradation to waste flowing away.
The rainwater cascaded from the roof into the rusty gutter.
Workers cleared leaves blocking the street gutters before the storm.
After years of addiction, he found himself in the gutter.
The stream began to gutter down the hillside after the heavy rain.
The carpenter gutters the eaves to direct water away from the foundation.