Cave
WordNet

noun


(1)   A geological formation consisting of an underground enclosure with access from the surface of the ground or from the sea

verb


(2)   Explore natural caves
(3)   Hollow out as if making a cave or opening
"The river was caving the banks"
WiktionaryText

Etymology 1


From via .

Noun


  1. A large, naturally-occurring cavity formed underground, or in the face of a cliff or a hillside.
    We found a cave on the mountainside where we could take shelter.
  2. A hole, depression, or gap in earth or rock, whether natural or man-made.
      1. A storage cellar, especially for wine or cheese.
        This wine has been aged in our cave for thirty years.
      2. A place of retreat, such as a man cave.
        My room was a cozy cave where I could escape from my family.
      3. A naturally-occurring cavity in bedrock which is large enough to be entered by an adult.
        It was not strictly a cave, but a narrow fissure in the rock.
      4. A shielded area where nuclear experiments can be carried out.
          1. Debris, particularly broken rock, which falls into a drill hole and interferes with drilling.
              1. A collapse or cave-in.
                  1. The vagina.
                      1. A group that breaks from a larger political party or faction on a particular issue.

                        • Verb


                          1. To surrender.
                            He caved under pressure.
                          2. To collapse.
                            First the braces buckled, then the roof began to cave, then we ran.
                          3. To hollow out or undermine.
                            The levee has been severely caved by the river current.
                          4. To engage in the recreational exploration of caves; to spelunk.
                            I have caved from Yugoslavia to Kentucky.
                            Let's go caving this weekend.
                          5. In room-and-pillar mining, to extract a deposit of rock by breaking down a pillar which had been holding it in place.
                            The deposit is caved by knocking out the posts.
                          6. To work over tailings to dress small pieces of marketable ore.

                            • Etymology 2


                              From , second-person singular present active imperative of .

                              Interjection



                              1. look out!; beware!

                              Adjective



                              1. Pitted.
                              2. Concave.
                              3. Cavernous.

                              Noun 1



                              1. A cellar or basement.
                              2. A wine cellar; or, a piece of furniture that serves the purpose of a wine cellar.
                              3. A wine selection.
                              4. caves: An estate where wine grapes are grown or (especially) where wine is produced.
                              5. =cave à liqueurs: A chest for the storage of liquors.
 
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