pothole

noun7

1. •
   A shallow pit or other edged depression in a road's surface, especially when caused by erosion, weather or traffic.

   • I was so tired that potholes, fumes and noise aside, I slept regardless, my head rag-dolling from side to side. — 2005
2. •
   A pit formed in the bed of a turbulent stream.
3. •
   A vertical cave system, often found in limestone.
4. •
   A pit resulting from unauthorized excavation by treasure-hunters or vandals.
5. •
   (Australia) A shallow hole dug for the purpose of prospecting for opal or gold.
6. •
   (slang) A hyperlink with text displayed on a page that is different from the title of the page to which the text links; a piped link.
7. •
   A hole or recess on the top of a stove into which a pot may be placed.

   • Stoves with two or more potholes The normal single-pot stove in which the pot sits on top, rather than being sunk into the pothole, has a major limitation. — 1984