Pit1  —n. 1 a deep hole in the ground, usu. Large. B coalmine. C covered hole as a trap for animals. 2 hollow on a surface, esp. An indentation of the skin. 3 a = orchestra pit (see *orchestra 2). B usu. Hist. Seating at the back of the stalls. 4 (the pits) slang worst imaginable place, situation, person, etc. 5 a area at the side of a track where racing cars are serviced and refuelled. B sunken area in a workshop floor for access to a car's underside. —v. (-tt-) 1 (usu. Foll. By against) set (one's wits, strength, etc.) In competition. 2 (usu. As pitted adj.) Make pits, scars, craters, etc. In. 3 put into a pit. [old english from latin puteus well]