pit
ground cavity
Quick Summary
A pit is a hole, shaft, or cavity in the ground. It can also refer to a mine or a scooped-out place used for burning, such as for charcoal. The term can also describe a hollow or indentation on an organism's surface, like a pockmark from a disease or a specialized structure in plant cell walls. In racing, "the pits" refers to the area for refueling and repairs. The word originates from Old English pytt, akin to Latin puteus, meaning "well".1
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