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pit
1[ pit ]
/ pɪt /
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noun
verb (used with object), pit·ted, pit·ting.
verb (used without object), pit·ted, pit·ting.
to become marked with pits or depressions.
(of body tissue) to retain temporarily a mark of pressure, as by a finger, instrument, etc.
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Origin of pit
1First recorded before 900; Middle English noun pit, pit(t)e, put(e), putte, Old English pytt “pit, grave,” from Latin puteus “well, pit, shaft”; verb derivative of the noun
Words nearby pit
piston pin, piston ring, piston rod, piston slap, pistou, pit, pita, pit against, pitahaya, Pitaka, pitanga
Other definitions for pit (2 of 2)
pit2
[ pit ]
/ pɪt /
noun
the stone of a fruit, as of a cherry, peach, or plum.
verb (used with object), pit·ted, pit·ting.
to remove the pit from (a fruit or fruits): to pit cherries for a pie.
Origin of pit
2An Americanism dating back to 1835–45, from Dutch, Middle Dutch pitte, pit “kernel”; cognate with pith
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use pit in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for pit (1 of 3)
pit1
/ (pɪt) /
noun
verb pits, pitting or pitted
See also pits
Word Origin for pit
Old English pytt, from Latin puteus; compare Old French pet, Old High German pfuzzi
British Dictionary definitions for pit (2 of 3)
pit2
/ (pɪt) mainly US and Canadian /
noun
the stone of a cherry, plum, etc
verb pits, pitting or pitted
(tr) to extract the stone from (a fruit)
Word Origin for pit
C19: from Dutch: kernel; compare pith
British Dictionary definitions for pit (3 of 3)
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Scientific definitions for pit
pit
[ pĭt ]
The hard, inner layer (the endocarp) of certain drupes that are valued for their flesh, such as peaches, cherries, or olives. Not in scientific use.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
Other Idioms and Phrases with pit
pit
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.