noun
- a loose mixture of pebbles and rock fragments coarser than sand, often mixed with clay, etc.
- Med. a deposit of small concretions that form in the kidneys or gallbladder and that may be retained, passed on to the urinary bladder, or passed from the body
Origin:
ME < OFr gravelle, dim. of grave, coarse sand, seashore < or akin to Gaul *grava, stone < IE base *ghreu-, to rub hard, pulverize > grit
transitive verb graveled or gravelled, graveling or gravelling
- to cover (a walk, driveway, etc.) with gravel
- to embarrass or perplex
- ☆ Informal to irritate or annoy