adj., n., v., & adv.
adj. 1 a having a hole or cavity inside; not solid throughout. b having a depression; sunken (hollow cheeks). 2 (of a sound) echoing, as though made in or on a hollow container. 3 empty; hungry. 4 without significance; meaningless (a hollow triumph). 5 insincere; cynical; false (a hollow laugh; hollow promises).
n. 1 a hollow place; a hole. 2 a valley; a basin.
v.tr. (often foll. by out) make hollow; excavate.
adv. colloq. completely (beaten hollow). hollow-eyed with eyes deep sunk. hollow-hearted insincere. hollow square Mil. hist. a body of infantry drawn up in a square with a space in the middle. in the hollow of one's hand entirely subservient to one. hollowly adv. hollowness n.
[ ME holg, holu, hol(e)we f. OE holh cave, rel. to HOLE ]