~ 1
■ noun
1》 the quality of a sound governed by the rate of vibrations producing it; the degree of highness or lowness of a tone.
↘a standard degree of highness or lowness used in performance: the guitars were strung and tuned to ~.
2》 the steepness of a slope, especially of a roof.
↘ Climbing a section of a climb.
3》 a level of intensity, especially a high level: he brought the machine to a high ~ of development.
4》 Brit. an area of ground marked out or used for play in an outdoor team game.
↘ Cricket the strip of ground between the two sets of stumps.
5》 Baseball a delivery of the ball by the ~er.
↘ Cricket the spot where the ball bounces when bowled.
↘(also ~ shot ) Golf a high approach shot on to the green.
6》 a form of words used to persuade or influence: they were impressed by his sales ~.
7》 Brit. a place where a street vendor or performer stations themselves or sets up a stall.
8》 a swaying or oscillation of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the direction of motion.
9》 technical the distance between successive corresponding points or lines, for example between the teeth of a cogwheel.
■ verb
1》 set at a particular musical ~.
2》 throw or fall heavily or roughly: she ~ed forward into blackness.
3》 Baseball throw (the ball) for the batter.
↘ Golf hit (the ball) on to the green with a ~ shot.
↘ Cricket & Golf (of the ball) strike the ground in a particular spot.
4》 set or aim at a particular level, target, or audience: he should ~ his talk at a suitable level.
5》 make a bid to obtain a contract or other business.
↘try to persuade someone to buy or accept (something).
6》 set up and fix in position.
7》 ( ~ in ) informal join in enthusiastically with a task or activity.
8》 ( ~ up ) informal arrive.
9》 (of a moving ship, aircraft, or vehicle) rock or oscillate around a lateral axis, so that the front moves up and down.
10》 [often as adjective ~ed ] (chiefly with reference to a roof) slope or cause to slope downwards: a ~ed roof.
11》 pave (a road) with stones.
Phrases
make a ~ make an attempt at or bid for something.
Origin
ME: perh. related to OE picung 'stigmata', of unknown ultimate origin.
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~ 2
■ noun a sticky resinous black or dark brown substance which hardens on cooling, obtained by distilling tar or turpentine and used for waterproofing.
■ verb chiefly archaic cover or coat with ~.
Origin
OE pic (n.), pician (v.), of Gmc origin.