pitch
UK[pɪtʃ]US[pɪtʃ]
v
to throw something with a lot of force, often aiming carefully
v
to set the degree, level, or tone of something
v
to fall or plunge forward, especially headfirst
n
the highness or lowness of a sound
n
a black, sticky substance made from petroleum or coal tar
n
an area of ground where a sport is played
n
a talk or argument used to persuade someone to buy something or accept an idea
Etymology
the word 'pitch' has a complex history, stemming from two distinct old english roots that converged in middle english. one root, pic, referred to the sticky, black tar substance, a meaning retained to this day. the other, seen in the verb pician, meant to prick or pierce, which evolved into the sense of thrusting or throwing forcefully. the diverse modern meanings—from the tone of sound to a sales talk—developed through metaphorical extensions from these core ideas of sticky adhesion and forceful, directed action. this journey from concrete substances and actions to abstract concepts illustrates the dynamic nature of semantic change in english.
Analysis
the word is a simplex form. it is a middle english word, from old english pic (pitch, tar) and pician (to prick, pierce). the verb senses are influenced by middle english pichen (to thrust, set in order), possibly from an old english variant or old norse influence.
Examples
the baseball pitcher wound up to pitch the ball.
she adjusted the pitch of her voice to sound more authoritative.
the entrepreneur delivered a compelling pitch to the investors.