gravel

[grav-uhl]

noun

1. small stones and pebbles, or a mixture of these with sand.

2. Pathology.

   1. multiple small calculi formed in the kidneys.

   2. the disease characterized by such concretions.

verb (used with object)

graveled, graveling , gravelled, gravelling .

1. to cover with gravel.

2. to bring to a standstill from perplexity; puzzle.

3. Informal.,  to be a cause of irritation to.

4. Obsolete.,  to run (a ship) aground, as on a beach.

adjective

1. harsh and grating.

   a gravel voice.

gravel

/ ˈɡrævəl /

noun

1. an unconsolidated mixture of rock fragments that is coarser than sand

2. geology a mixture of rock fragments with diameters in the range 4–76 mm

3. pathol small rough calculi in the kidneys or bladder

verb

1. to cover with gravel

2. to confound or confuse

3. informal,  to annoy or disturb

Other Word Forms

• gravelish adjective
• ungraveled adjective
• ungravelled adjective
• well-graveled adjective
• well-gravelled adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of gravel¹

1250–1300; Middle English < Old French gravele, diminutive of grave sandy shore, perhaps < Celtic; grave ⁴, growan

Word History and Origins

Origin of gravel¹

C13: from Old French gravele, diminutive of grave gravel, perhaps of Celtic origin

Example Sentences

“Yet it is strange that Old Timothy mentioned him at all,” she thought as her feet crunched along the graveled path.

Read more on Literature

Ewing’s determination, with a little more gravel in his voice and whiskey in his attitude.

Read more on Salon

But as a result of vehicles travelling around the tight left-hand bend of the slip road, debris had been pushed to the offside part of this lane, creating a considerable depth of gravel.

Read more on BBC

The renovation conceived to remedy this quandary naturally expanded to include a long-overdue restoration of the Heath tiles, as well as a refreshed sculpture garden with new resin-bound gravel pathways.

Read more on Los Angeles Times

A few minutes later, a black limousine rolled to a stop on the gravel driveway in front of the building.

Read more on Literature

Related Words

• sand 
• shale