Adit
/ˈædɪt/noun
A horizontal passage leading into a mine, tunnel, or underground excavation.
Did you know?In Latin, aditus could mean an approach, access, or entrance, and its root is related to other journey-words such as exit and transit.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*h₁ey-
“To go”
Classical Latin
Latin
adīre
“To approach or go toward”
Classical Latin
Latin
aditus
“An approach, access, or entrance”
16th Century
Latin
adit
“An entrance or approach, especially to a mine”
17th Century
English
adit
“A horizontal entrance or passage into a mine”
Modern English
English
adit
“A horizontal passage into an underground excavation”