tarpit

== English == === Etymology === From tar +‎ pit. === Noun === tarpit (plural tarpits) A lake of asphalt formed when subterranean bitumen leaks to the ground surface. Such pits are important in forming fossil fuel reserves; they are also apt to trap passing animals, which become fossilized in the tar. (computing) A service that purposely delays incoming connections in order to reduce the effectiveness of spamming and similar techniques. ==== Derived terms ==== Turing tarpit ==== Related terms ==== tar baby (another term related to tar and to trapping or bogging down) ==== Translations ==== === Verb === tarpit (third-person singular simple present tarpits, present participle tarpitting, simple past and past participle tarpitted) (transitive, computing) To delay by means of a tarpit service. === Anagrams === rat pit