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Definition of pitfall - 4 dictionary results

pit⋅fall

[pit-fawl]
–noun
1. a lightly covered and unnoticeable pit prepared as a trap for people or animals.
2. any trap or danger for the unwary: the pitfall of excessive pride.

Origin:
1275–1325; ME pittefalle, equiv. to pitte pit 1 + falle (OE fealle) trap


1, 2. See trap 1 .
pit·fall   (pĭt'fôl')   
n.  
  1. An unapparent source of trouble or danger; a hidden hazard: "potential pitfalls stemming from their optimistic inflation assumptions" (New York Times).
  2. A concealed hole in the ground that serves as a trap.

Pitfall

Pit"fall`\, n. A pit deceitfully covered to entrap wild beasts or men; a trap of any kind. --Sir T. North.
Language Translation for : pitfall
Spanish: dificultad, escollo,
German: die Fallgrube,
Japanese: 落とし穴

pitfall 
1305, a type of animal trap, from pit (1) + fall (v.). Extended sense of "any hidden danger" is first recorded 1586.
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