Dictionary.com
Thesaurus.com
Jump To:
  • saw pit
    saw pit
    noun
    a place for pit sawing.
  • saw-pit
    saw-pit
    noun
    (esp formerly) a pit above which a log is sawn into planks with a large pitsaw

saw pit

American  
Or sawpit

noun

  1. a place for pit sawing.


saw-pit British  

noun

  1. (esp formerly) a pit above which a log is sawn into planks with a large pitsaw

"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

Etymology

Origin of saw pit

First recorded in 1375–1425, saw pit is from the late Middle English word sawpytt. See saw 1, pit 1

Example Sentences

Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.

See Examples For:

“He came back to set and he said, ‘I found evidence of a saw pit in almost the exact same location at Jamestown,” Fisk says.

From Seattle Times Feb. 23, 2024

And sometimes — like in Fisk’s selection of a saw pit location — his deductions were proven right by the simultaneous research of archeologist Bill Kelso, who directed the Jamestown Rediscovery Project.

From Seattle Times Feb. 23, 2024

He asked about a saw pit in which he had worked when a young boy.

From McClure's Magazine, Vol. 6, No. 6, May, 1896 by Various

He visited the ship, and took great interest in all that was going on, particularly with the saw pit.

From The Life of Captain James Cook by Kitson, Arthur

A saw "pit" is a scantling of poles eight feet high, on which the logs are placed to be sawn.

From The Great Gold Rush A Tale of the Klondike by Jarvis, W. H. P. (William Henry Pope)

The white horse was buried in the saw-pit in the Laine's wood.

From Highways and Byways in Sussex by Griggs, Frederick Landseer Maur

A heavy log, ready for the saw-pit, had come down with the torrent, and, taking upon it the duties of a battering-ram, had charged the parlour window.

From The Red Man's Revenge A Tale of The Red River Flood by Ballantyne, R. M. (Robert Michael)

When both combatants were in the saw-pit, Bird said: "Now, Compton, thou shalt not escape me," and brandished his sword above his head.

From The Curious Case of Lady Purbeck A Scandal of the XVIIth Century by Longueville, Thomas

The cart returned with some fine timber which was soon placed on the saw-pit; meanwhile a stockyard for the cattle was erected on the higher ground.

From Three Expeditions into the Interior of Eastern Australia, Volume 1 by Mitchell, Thomas

"No want of variety," said Jack; "if you do not like the saw-pit, you can have the tannery."

From Willis the Pilot by Adrien, Paul

Vocabulary.com logo
by dictionary.com

Join 12,000,000 vocabulary learners

Start learning new words today on VocabTrainer.
You'll remember them forever.

Start training