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Glite Dictionary
pit-run gravel

pit-run gravel

7.4
A loose mix of small stones and sand taken from a gravel pit and used as is
  • noun
  • Specialized
translation icon : grava natural
  • The contractor chose to use pit-run gravel for the base layer of the road.

Examples

  • Unlike processed materials, pit-run gravel contains a natural mix of sand and stones.

  • Many driveways in rural areas are made with pit-run gravel because it is readily available and inexpensive.

  • We need to order more pit-run gravel for the construction site.

  • The contractor recommended using pit-run gravel for the foundation.

  • Many driveways in rural areas are made with pit-run gravel because it is readily available and inexpensive.

  • The contractor chose to use pit-run gravel for the base layer of the road.

  • Unlike processed materials, pit-run gravel contains a natural mix of sand and stones.

Synonyms

gravel
vspit-run gravel
99 1.4

Small loose stones and pebbles used on paths or driveways

is unprocessed natural material taken directly from deposits for construction
pit run
vspit-run gravel
  • Specialized
7.9

Gravel taken directly from a pit or quarry with mixed stone sizes

is the same meaning but written as a hyphenated compound
bank gravel
vspit-run gravel
4.8

Small stones taken from riverbanks and used under roads or buildings

is similar but refers to unprocessed material from pits or quarries rather than riverbanks

How Natural

pit-run gravel
  • Specialized
7.4
gravel
99 1.4
crushed rock
  • Specialized
1 3.0

Surface Forms

pit-run gravel singular
pit-run gravels plural

Morphology

pit-run + gravel

The head noun 'gravel' is transparent, and 'pit-run' can be compositionally interpreted as material 'from a pit' or 'as run from the pit', so a basic sense of 'gravel taken from a pit, unprocessed' is partly derivable from the parts. However, 'pit-run' is an industry-specific compound whose precise technical meaning ('unprocessed/extracted material') is not fully predictable for an average B1 learner, so the expression is only partially transparent.

Etymology

Pit-run gravel comes from the simple image of gravel taken straight from a pit, a big hole in the ground, and run out without washing or sorting so pieces of sand and stone stay mixed. That's why 'pit-run gravel' means gravel used in building in its 'natural' or 'unprocessed' state.