First Known Use: before 12th century
Dictionary
1pit
noun \ˈpit\
Definition of PIT
1
a (1) : a hole, shaft, or cavity in the ground (2) : mine (3) : a scooped-out place used for burning something (as charcoal) b : an area often sunken or depressed below the adjacent floor area: as (1) : an enclosure in which animals are made to fight each other (2) : a space at the front of a theater for the orchestra (3) : an area in a securities or commodities exchange in which members trade (as stocks)
2
3
: a hollow or indentation especially in the surface of an organism: as a : a natural hollow in the surface of the body b : one of the indented scars left in the skin by a pustular disease : pockmark c : a minute depression in the secondary wall of a plant cell functioning in the intercellular movement of water and dissolved material
4
: any of the areas alongside an auto racecourse used for refueling and repairing the cars during a race —often used in plural with the
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Origin of PIT
Middle English, from Old English pytt (akin to Old High German pfuzzi well), from Latin puteus well, pit
2pit
verb
pit·tedpit·ting
Definition of PIT
transitive verb
1
a : to place, cast, bury, or store in a pit b : to make pits in; especially : to scar or mark with pits
2
a : to set (as gamecocks) into or as if into a pit to fight b : to set into opposition or rivalry —usually used with against
intransitive verb
1
: to become marked with pits; especially : to preserve for a time an indentation made by pressure
2
: to make a pit stop
First Known Use of PIT
15th century
3pit
noun
Definition of PIT
: the stone of a drupaceous fruit
Origin of PIT
Dutch, from Middle Dutch — more at pith
First Known Use: 1841
Other Botany Terms
4pit
verb
pit·tedpit·ting
Definition of PIT
transitive verb
: to remove the pit from (a fruit)
First Known Use of PIT
1906
Pit
geographical name \ˈpit\
Definition of PIT
river N California flowing SW into the Sacramento
PIT Defined for Kids
1pit
noun \ˈpit\
Definition of PIT for Kids
1
: a cavity or hole in the ground usually made by digging <a gravel pit>
2
: an area set off from and often sunken below surrounding areas <a barbecue pit> <a theater's orchestra pit>
3
: a small hole or dent on a surface
4
pits plural : something very bad <Being sick is the pits.>
— pit·ted \ˈpi-təd\ adjective
2pit
verb
pit·tedpit·ting
Definition of PIT for Kids
1
: to make small holes or dents in
2
: to set against another in a fight or contest <The former teammates were pitted against each other.>
3pit
noun
Definition of PIT for Kids
: a hard seed or stone of a fruit (as a peach or cherry)
4pit
verb
pit·tedpit·ting
Definition of PIT for Kids
: to remove the pit from
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