Adit

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈædɪt/

Origin

Borrowing from la aditus, from ad ("to, up to") + itus ("going, departure").

Full definition of adit

Noun

1. A horizontal or nearly horizontal passage from the surface into a mine as contrasted to a shaft which is a vertical entry passage. An adit may be used for ventilation, haulage, drainage, or other purposes.
• 2006, Mike Hetman, IronMiners.com http://www.ironminers.com/ironmines/old-mine-1.htm:The Old Mine is currently entered through an upper adit as the main is no longer accessible.
• 2008, Iain M. Banks, Matter, page 445:The adit sloped downwards into the bowels of some long-fallen building, following a passage that had silted up when the city had first been buried.