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cave — A large underground chamber, typically of natural origin, in a hillside or cliff

Part of speech: NOUN

Definition: A large underground chamber, typically of natural origin, in a hillside or cliff

Pronunciation (IPA): /keɪv/

Example Sentences

  • Batman's secret hideout was hidden in a cave behind a waterfall.
  • The chocolate soufflé caved in because someone slammed the oven door.
  • After hours of negotiation, the company finally caved to the workers' demands.

cave

NOUN

[/keɪv/]

A large underground chamber, typically of natural origin, in a hillside or cliff

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🎤Pronunciation

🇺🇸 US/keɪv/
🇬🇧 UK/keɪv/

🌳Etymology

Rootcave

Origin

The word derives from Latin cavus, meaning 'hollow' or 'empty'. It passed through Old French cave before entering Middle English and modern English, with the meaning evolving from the abstract concept of hollowness to the concrete sense of a naturally formed underground chamber.

Breakdown

Latin cavus (hollow, empty) → Old French cave → Middle English cave. The root cavus carries the fundamental meaning of an enclosed hollow space, which developed into the specific geological sense of a subterranean cavity.

🎵Rhyme

save
wave
brave
gave
shave

🔗Collocations

cave in
limestone cave
cave dweller
explore a cave
bat cave
cave painting
underground cave

📝Examples

😄 Fun example

“Batman's secret hideout was hidden in a cave behind a waterfall.”

😄 Fun example

“The chocolate soufflé caved in because someone slammed the oven door.”

“After hours of negotiation, the company finally caved to the workers' demands.”

“The archaeologists found Stone Age tools in the cave.”

📚Related Words

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