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pitting

pitting

1 7.7
Small shallow holes that form on a metal surface when it is eaten away or rubbed
  • noun
  • /ˈpɪtɪŋ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : picado
  • The old car had noticeable pitting on the hood due to years of exposure to the elements.
  • pitting corrosion
  • severe pitting

You can get little tiny pitting, particularly on aluminium.

Examples

  • Glass will get pitted after much use, and a new glass will be required since the pitting will show in the image.

    Academic text (2010)
  • Is this here the pitting that you were referring to?

  • You can get little tiny pitting, particularly on aluminium.

  • Look closely at the reflection of light in your granite to see the pitting.

    Blog text (18)
  • Stem pitting reduces yield in trees on all rootstocks.

    Academic text (1994)
  • Mild dental fluorosis is characterized by whitish areas on teeth, while the severe form of the condition is characterized by pitting of the enamel and brownish discoloration.

    Academic text (2002)
  • After inspecting the metal surface, the technician found severe pitting caused by corrosion.

  • The marble countertop developed pitting over time, making it less smooth and attractive.

Antonyms

352 2.3

Work done to fix something that is broken

5 1.9

An even surface without rough parts

How Rusty

corrosion
  • Specialized
21 6.1
pitting
  • Specialized
1 7.7
rouille
  • Canadian
8.9
rust
1 1.6

Surface Forms

pitting singular
pittings plural

Morphology

pitting = pit (transparent) = pit + ing

Formed as the verb 'pit' + '-ing' (gerund/nominalization), so learners who know 'pit' and '-ing' can infer the process meaning.

Etymology

The word pitting comes from the simple word pit, meaning 'small hole' or 'the stone in a cherry', and the ending -ing that shows an action. So, pitting is the process when many small holes or 'pits' appear on a surface, often because of rust or wear.