tun|nel

tun|nel «TUHN uhl», noun, verb, -neled, -nel|ing or -nelled, -nel|ling.

–n.

1. an underground passageway, as for automobiles, trains, or persons on foot: »

The railroad passes under the mountain through a tunnel.

2. any one of certain other subterranean passageways or borings, such as one for the passage of water or sewage.

3. a nearly horizontal passageway in a mine (often used loosely for any drift or level).

4. a passageway dug into the earth by an animal as a means of getting into or out of its burrow.

5. the burrow itself.

6. Obsolete, Dialect. a funnel.

7. Obsolete. the shaft or flue of a chimney.

–v.i.

to make a tunnel; excavate a passageway (through some body or substance): »

A mole tunneled in the ground around the terrace.

–v.t.

1. to make a tunnel through or under: »

to tunnel a hill or river.

2. to make (one's way or a way) by digging.

3. Obsolete. to form into or like a tube or pipe.

╂[< Old French tonnelle tunnel, net, tonel cask < tonne; see etym. under tun¹ (Cf. ↑tun)]

–tun´nel|er,

–tun´nel|ler, noun.

–tun´nel|like´, adjective.