n. 1. a. A conical utensil having a small hole or narrow tube at the apex and used to channel the flow of a substance, as into a small-mouthed container. b. Something resembling this utensil in shape. 2. A shaft, flue, or stack for ventilation or the passage of smoke, especially the smokestack of a ship or locomotive. v. fun·neled, fun·nel·ing, fun·nels or fun·nelled or fun·nel·ling v.intr. 1. To take the shape of a funnel. 2. To move through or as if through a funnel: tourists funneling slowly through customs. v.tr. 1. To cause to take the shape of a funnel. 2. To cause to move through or as if through a funnel. [Middle English fonel, from Provençal fonilh, from Late Latin fundibulum, from Latin īnfundibulum, from īnfundere, to pour in; see INFUSE.] |
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