Definition of "gravel" in English

noun

1. (uncountable) Small fragments of rock, used for laying on the beds of roads and railways, and as ballast.

2. A type or grade of small rocks, differentiated by mineral type, size range, or other characteristics.

3. (uncountable, geology) A particle from 2 to 64 mm in diameter, following the Wentworth scale.

4. (uncountable, archaic) Kidney stones; a deposit of small calculous concretions in the kidneys and the urinary or gall bladder; also, the disease of which they are a symptom.

5. A lameness in the foot of a horse, usually caused by an abscess.

6. (rare) Inability to see at night; night blindness.

7. (uncountable, cycling) Gravel cycling, a discipline in cycling different from road cycling, mountain biking or cyclocross, for a large part on gravel roads, typically with a dedicated gravel bike.

8. (slang) The stimulant drug alpha-pyrrolidinopentiophenone.

verb

1. (transitive) To apply a layer of gravel to the surface of a road, etc.

2. (transitive) To puzzle or annoy.

3. (transitive) To run (as a ship) upon the gravel or beach; to run aground; to cause to stick fast in gravel or sand.

   • 1605, William Camden, “Grave Speeches and wittie Apothegms of worthy Personages of this Realm in former times,” in Remaines Concerning Britain, London: Simon Miller, sixth impression, 1657, p. 243, William Conqerour when he invaded this Iland, chanced at his arrival to be gravelled, and one of his feet stuck so fast in the sand, that he fell to the ground.

4. (transitive) To check or stop; to confound; to perplex.

   • The physician was so gravelled and amazed withal, that he had not a word more to say.

5. (transitive) To hurt or lame (a horse) by gravel lodged between the shoe and foot.

6. (transitive, slang, archaic) To prostrate; to beat to the ground.