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A covered deep hole for entrapping wild beasts; a pitfall; hence, a trap; a snare. Also used figuratively. The anointed of the Lord was taken in their pits. Lam. iv. 20.

To plunge or fall; esp., to fall forward; to decline or slope; as, to pitch from a precipice; the vessel pitches in a heavy sea; the field pitches toward the east. Pitch and pay, an old aphorism which inculcates ready-money payment, or payment on delivery of goods. Shak.

k, to walk along a plank laid across the bulwark of a ship, until one overbalances it and falls into the sea; -- a method of disposing of captives practiced by pirates.

To fall, drop, or move in any way, with a sudden splash or slap, as on the surface of water.

devise; to contrive secretly. "Plotting an unprofitable crime." Dryden. "Plotting now the fall of others." Milton

In a plumb direction; perpendicularly. "Plumb down he falls." Milton.

To drop or fall suddenly or heavily, all at once."Dulcissa plumps into a chair." Spectator.

An instrument for ascertaining the amount of rainfall at any place in a given time; a rain gauge.

ts of the compass, below); also, the difference between two points of the compass; as, to fall off a point.

Smooth; polished. [Obs.] Rays of light falling on a polite surface. Sir I. Newton.

ople; hence, cheapness; inferiority; vulgarity. This gallant laboring to avoid popularity falls into a habit of affectation. B. Jonson.

ay of a fortress, to be let down to prevent the entrance of an enemy. "Let the portcullis fall." Sir W. Scott. She . . . the huge portcullis high updrew. Milton.

to him in the settlement of the estate; an inheritance. Give me the portion of goods that falleth to me. Luke xv. 12.

o such commission as post-captain was ever recognized in either service, and the term has fallen into disuse.

To fall suddenly and seize with the claws; -- with on or upon; as, a hawk pounces upon a chicken. Also used figuratively. Derision is never so agonizing as when it pounces on the wanderings of misguided sensibility. Jeffrey.

To flow, pass, or issue in a stream, or as a stream; to fall continuously and abundantly; as, the rain pours; the people poured out of the theater. In the rude throng pour on with furious pace. Gay.

hich any dry substance is reduced by pounding, grinding, or triturating, or into which it falls by decay; dust. Grind their bones to powder small. Shak.

A sudden or headlong fall. [Obs.] Fuller.

Falling or rushing headlong; rushing swiftly, violently, or recklessly; moving precipitately. They leave their little lives Above the clouds, precipitant to earth. J. Philips. Should he return, that troop so blithe and bold, Precipitant in fear would wing their flight. Pope.

Falling, flowing, or rushing, with steep descent; headlong. Precipitate the furious torrent flows. Prior.