I. cave 1 /keɪv/ BrE AmE noun [countable]
[ Date: 1200-1300 ; Language: Old French ; Origin: Latin cava , from cavus 'hollow' ]
a large natural hole in the side of a cliff or hill, or under the ground ⇨ caving :
the entrance to a cave
II. cave 2 BrE AmE verb
[ Date: 1700-1800 ; Origin: Probably from calve 'to cave in' (18-19 centuries) , perhaps from Flemish inkalven ; influenced by ⇨ ↑ cave 1 ]
cave in phrasal verb
1 . if the top or sides of something cave in, they fall down or inwards
cave in on
The roof of the tunnel caved in on them.
2 . to finally stop opposing something, especially because someone has persuaded or threatened you
cave in to
The chairman is expected to cave in to pressure from shareholders.