Also 5–6 condite-, cundite-, 5–7 conduct-pipe. [f. CONDUIT sb. + PIPE.]
1. A pipe for the conveyance of water or other liquid; a conduit of tubular form.
c. 1430. Lydg., in Turner, Dom. Archit., III. 39. By archis stronge, his cours for to reflecte Thorugh condyte pypis large & wyde.
1581. Marbeck, Bk. of Notes, 107. The water was brought to this place by conduct pipes.
1599. Sir J. Davies, in Farr., S. P. Eliz. (1845), I. 88. Water in conduit-pipes can rise no higher Than the well-head.
1726. Desaguliers, in Phil. Trans., XXXIV. 79. To let out the Air from the Conduct Pipes, which obstructs the Running of the Water.
1812–6. Playfair, Nat. Phil. (1819), I. 199. Of conduit pipes and open canals.
1847. L. Hunt, Jar Honey, ix. 120. Grounds whose veins were conduit-pipes to many a crystal spring.
2. fig. A channel or medium of conveyance.
1581. J. Bell, Haddon’s Answ. Osor., 481. The old fountaines, and conduyt pypes of the Gospell of grace stoppt up by the popish Philistines.
a. 1628. Preston, Serm. bef. His Majesty (1630), 25. The instruments and conduit-pipes of so great blessings.
1875. Poste, Gaius, I. (ed. 2), 67. In respect of debts which he incurred, the son did not act as conduit-pipe, but was liable in his own person.
