runnel

Everyday

1. A very small stream or brook. tree →
2. A small channel of running water, such as rain running down a path or gutter. tree →

In the lessons

Nature and geography words for water: smaller than a stream. In stories it gives a quiet, detailed picture of the countryside, like the ditches and little streams along the river bank in The Wind in the Willows.

Examples

• A little runnel trickled down the hillside. tree →
• Rain made runnels in the sandy path. tree →
• We built a dam across the runnel. tree →
• Runnels of water ran off the roof. tree →
• The frog sat by a muddy runnel. tree →
• Sweat ran in runnels down his face. tree →

Note

Plural: runnels. Smaller than a brook or stream; similar words: rill, rivulet, trickle.