floodgate

Từ điển WordNet v3.1 - WordNet Dictionary

noun

1. something that restrains a flood or outpouring
- suspension of surveillance opened the floodgates to illegal immigrants
• Hypernyms:
restraint
2. regulator consisting of a valve or gate that controls the rate of water flow through a sluice
• Syn:
sluicegate, sluice valve, penstock, head gate, water gate
• Hypernyms:
regulator
• Part Holonyms:
sluice, sluiceway, penstock