n.
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English pichen to thrust, drive, fix firmly, probably from Old English *piccan, from Vulgar Latin *piccare ― more at PIKE
Date: 13th century
transitive verb
1 : to erect and fix firmly in place < pitch a tent>
2 : to throw usually with a particular objective or toward a particular point < pitch hay onto a wagon>: as a : to throw (a baseball) to a batter b : to toss (as coins) so as to fall at or near a mark < pitch pennies> c : to put aside or discard by or as if by throwing < pitch ed the trash into the bin> <decided to pitch the whole idea>
3 a : to present or advertise especially in a high-pressure way : PLUG , PROMOTE b : to attempt to persuade especially with a sales pitch c : to present (a movie or program idea) for consideration (as by a TV producer)
4 a (1) : to cause to be at a particular level or of a particular quality <a test pitch ed at a 5th-grade reading level> (2) : to set in a particular musical key b : to cause to be set at a particular angle : SLOPE
5 : to utter glibly and insincerely
6 a : to use as a starting pitcher b : to play as pitcher
7 : to hit (a golf ball) in a high arc with backspin so that it rolls very little after striking the green
8 : THROW 14 < pitch a fit>
intransitive verb
1 a : to fall precipitately or headlong b (1) of a ship : to have the bow alternately plunge precipitately and rise abruptly (2) of an aircraft, missile, or spacecraft : to turn about a lateral axis so that the forward end rises or falls in relation to the after end c : BUCK 1
2 : ENCAMP
3 : to hit upon or happen upon something < pitch upon the perfect gift>
4 : to incline downward : SLOPE
5 a : to throw a ball to a batter b : to play ball as a pitcher c : to pitch a golf ball
6 : to make a sales pitch
synonyms see THROW
– pitch into
1 : ATTACK , ASSAIL
2 : to set to work on energetically