Definition

1. Noun:

   • Small stones and rock fragments: "Gravel" refers to a loose aggregation of small water-worn or pounded stones, typically larger than sand but smaller than pebbles. It is commonly used in construction and landscaping.
   • A medical condition: In a dated medical context, "gravel" can refer to small calculi or stones, such as those in the kidneys or bladder.

2. Verb:

   • To cover with gravel: To spread a layer of small stones on a surface, such as a road or driveway.
   • To perplex or bewilder: To confuse or puzzle someone, making them unable to think or respond clearly. (This usage is now somewhat archaic or literary.)
   • To irritate or annoy: To cause minor but persistent annoyance.

Usage Examples

• Noun:
  • The driveway was covered with coarse gravel.
  • The riverbed was full of smooth, rounded gravel.
• Verb (to cover):
  • They decided to gravel the garden path to improve drainage.
• Verb (to perplex):
  • The complex philosophical question graveled the student. (Archaic/Literary)
• Verb (to irritate):
  • The constant noise from the construction site graveled the residents.

Advanced Usage

• "To be graveled": To be in a state of confusion or perplexity. (Archaic)
  • He was completely graveled by the unexpected turn of events.

Variants and Related Words

• Gravelly (adj):
  • Having a rough, grating sound or texture.

    • He spoke in a deep, gravelly voice.
  • Containing or covered with gravel.

    • The gravelly soil was poor for farming.

Synonyms

• Noun (stones): crushed stone, aggregate, chat.
• Verb (to perplex): puzzle, baffle, nonplus, confound. (Note: "gravel" in this sense is rare.)
• Verb (to irritate): annoy, vex, bother, irk.

Phrasal Verbs

(No common phrasal verbs are formed directly with "gravel.")

Related Idioms

• "To have gravel in one's voice": To have a rough, hoarse quality in one's voice.
  • After the concert, the singer had gravel in her voice.

Noun

1. rock fragments and pebbles

Verb

1. be a mystery or bewildering to
   • This beats me!
   • Got me--I don't know the answer!
   • a vexing problem
   • This question really stuck me
2. cover with gravel
   • We gravelled the driveway
3. cause annoyance in; disturb, especially by minor irritations
   • Mosquitoes buzzing in my ear really bothers me
   • It irritates me that she never closes the door after she leaves