pitch1
n.
- 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 pitch.
- the steepness of a slope, especially of a roof.
▸Climbing a section of a climb.
- a level of intensity, especially a high level:
he brought the machine to a high pitch of development.
- 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.
- Baseball a delivery of the ball by the pitcher.
▸Cricket the spot where the ball bounces when bowled.
▸
(also pitch shot)
Golf a high approach shot on to the green.
- a form of words used to persuade or influence:
they were impressed by his sales pitch.
- Brit. a place where a street vendor or performer stations themselves or sets up a stall.
- a swaying or oscillation of a ship, aircraft, or vehicle around a horizontal axis perpendicular to the direction of motion.
- technical the distance between successive corresponding points or lines, for example between the teeth of a cogwheel.
v.
- set at a particular musical pitch.
- throw or fall heavily or roughly:
she pitched forward into blackness.
- Baseball throw (the ball) for the batter.
▸Golf hit (the ball) on to the green with a pitch shot.
▸Cricket & Golf (of the ball) strike the ground in a particular spot.
- set or aim at a particular level, target, or audience:
he should pitch his talk at a suitable level.
- make a bid to obtain a contract or other business.
▸try to persuade someone to buy or accept (something).
- set up and fix in position.
-
(pitch in)
informal join in enthusiastically with a task or activity.
-
(pitch up)
informal arrive.
- (of a moving ship, aircraft, or vehicle) rock or oscillate around a lateral axis, so that the front moves up and down.
-
[often as adj. pitched]
(chiefly with reference to a roof) slope or cause to slope downwards:
a pitched roof.
- pave (a road) with stones.
Phrase
- make a pitch
make an attempt at or bid for something.
Etymology
ME: perh. rel. to OE picung ‘stigmata’, of unknown ultimate origin.
pitch2
n.
a sticky resinous black or dark brown substance which hardens on cooling, obtained by distilling tar or turpentine and used for waterproofing.
v.
chiefly archaic cover or coat with pitch.
Etymology
OE pic (n.), pician (v.), of Gmc origin.