■ noun
1》 a deep natural underground cave formed by the eroding action of water.
↘a deep circular hole in a river bed formed by the eroding action of stones in an eddy.
2》 a depression or hollow in a road surface caused by wear or subsidence.
3》 N. Amer. a lake formed by a natural hollow in the ground in which water has collected.
■ verb Brit. explore underground ~s as a pastime.
Derivatives
~d adjective
~r noun
potholing noun
Origin
C19: from ME pot 'pit' (perh. of Scand. origin) + hole .