I. ˈkāv noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Anglo-French, from Latin cava, from cavus hollow; akin to Greek koilos hollow, and probably to Greek kyein to be pregnant — more at cyme
Date: 13th century
1. : a natural underground chamber or series of chambers open to the surface
2. : a usually underground chamber for storage
a wine cave
also : the articles stored there
II. verb
( caved ; cav·ing )
Date: 15th century
transitive verb
: to form a cave in or under : hollow , undermine
intransitive verb
: to explore caves especially as a sport or hobby
• cav·er ˈkā-vər noun
III. ˈkāv verb
( caved ; cav·ing )
Etymology: probably alteration of calve
Date: 1513
intransitive verb
1. : to fall in or down especially from being undermined — usually used with in
2. : to cease to resist : submit — usually used with in
transitive verb
: to cause to fall or collapse — usually used with in