pit

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[[t]pɪt[/t]]

n. v. pit•ted, pit•ting

1) a hole or cavity in the ground

2) a covered or concealed excavation in the ground, serving as a trap

3) min

a) an excavation made in exploring for or removing a mineral deposit, as by open-cut methods

b) the shaft of a coal mine

c) the mine itself

4) the abode of evil spirits and lost souls; hell

5) cvb sts the pits, Slang. an extremely unpleasant or depressing place, condition, etc

6) a hollow or indentation in a surface

7) anat. a natural hollow or depression in the body:

the pit of the back; hit in the pit of his stomach[/ex]

8) pat

pockmark

9) cvb an enclosure for staging fights, esp. between dogs or cocks

10) a place where slam dances are performed

11) bus a part of the floor of a commodity exchange where trading in a particular commodity takes place

12) archit. sbz

a) all that part of the main floor of a theater behind the musicians

b) orchestra 2), a)

13) spo an area at the side of a racing track, for servicing and refueling the cars

14) to mark or indent with pits or depressions

15) pat to scar with pockmarks

16) to place or bury in a pit, as for storage

17) to set in opposition or combat, as one against another

18) to put (animals) in a pit for fighting

19) to become marked with pits or depressions

20) anat. (of body tissue) to retain temporarily a mark of pressure, as by a finger

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Etymology: bef. 900; ME; OE pytt < L puteus well, pit II

pit

[[t]pɪt[/t]] n. v. pit•ted, pit•ting

1) bot dial. the stone of a fruit, as of a cherry, peach, or plum

2) dial. to remove the pit from (a fruit)

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Etymology: 1835–45, amer.; < D: kernel; c. pith