ˈɡrævəl n. & v. --n. 1 a a
mixture of
coarse sand and small water-worn or pounded stones, used
for paths and roads and as an
aggregate. b Geol. a
stratum of
this. 2
Med. aggregations of crystals formed in
the urinary tract. --v.tr. (gravelled, gravelling; US graveled, graveling) 1 lay or
strew with gravel. 2
perplex,
puzzle,
nonplus (from an obs.
sense 'run (a ship) aground'). øgravel-blind
literary almost completely
blind ('more
than sand-blind', in Shakesp.
Merchant of Venice II. ii. 33). [ME f. OF gravel(e) dimin. of grave (as GRAVE(4))]