pebble

American  

[peb-uhl] / ˈpɛb əl /

noun

1. a small, rounded stone, especially one worn smooth by the action of water.

2. Also called pebble leather.  leather that has been given a granulated surface.

3. any granulated or crinkled surface, especially of a textile.

4. a transparent colorless rock crystal used for the lenses of eyeglasses.

5. a lens made from this crystal.

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verb (used with object)

pebbled, pebbling

1. to prepare (leather) so as to have a granulated surface.

2. to pelt with or as with pebbles.

pebble British  

/ ˈpɛbəl /

noun

1. 1. a small smooth rounded stone, esp one worn by the action of water

   2. geology a rock fragment, often rounded, with a diameter of 4–64 mm and thus smaller than a cobble but larger than a granule

2. 1. a transparent colourless variety of rock crystal, used for making certain lenses

   2. such a lens

3. informal  (modifier) (of a lens or of spectacles) thick, with a high degree of magnification or distortion

4. 1. a grainy irregular surface, esp on leather

   2. leather having such a surface

5. informal  a troublesome or obstinate person or animal

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verb

1. to pave, cover, or pelt with pebbles

2. to impart a grainy surface to (leather)

pebble Scientific  

/ pĕb′əl /

1. A rock fragment larger than a granule and smaller than a cobble. Pebbles have a diameter between 4 and 64 mm (0.16 and 2.56 inches) and are often rounded.

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pebble Idioms  

1. see not the only fish in the sea (pebble on the beach).

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Other Word Forms

• pebbly adjective
• unpebbled adjective

Etymology

Origin of pebble

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English pibbil, puble, pobble; compare Old English pæbbel (in placenames), papel-, popel- (in compounds); phonological relations unclear

Example Sentences

An investigator’s job is to leave no stone unturned, no matter how distant from subject or crime, and Epstein dedicated his socialite life to amassing a heap of pebbles.

From The Wall Street Journal

Over time, specks of dust collide and stick together, forming rocky pebbles.

From Space Scoop

The design also weaves Loewe’s pebble texture and On’s signature semitranslucent mesh, bound together with drawstring elastic laces for an athletic shoe with luxury flair.

From Los Angeles Times

Meteors appear as glowing streaks when tiny bits of dust, pebbles, or rock burn up while entering Earth's atmosphere.

From Science Daily

“You throw a pebble in New York, you hit someone in therapy,” she laughs.

From Salon

Related Words

• earth
• gravel
• lava
• metal
• rubble
• slab