ˈkavə(r)nəs adjective
Etymology: Middle English, from Latin cavernosus, from caverna + -osus -ous
1.
a. : having many caverns
a cavernous limestone area
b. : having many cavities or interstices
a cavernous substance
c. : productive of caverns
cavernous weathering
2.
a. : constituting or suggesting a cavern : deep, vast, and commodious
the chilly cavernous chambers, hollowed out of carboniferous limestone — American Guide Series: California
a cavernous cellar
a cavernous mind
b. : of or relating to a cavern
ill-smelling cavernous waters
3. of animal tissue : composed of vascular sinuses intercalated between afferent arteries and efferent veins and capable of becoming dilated with blood to bring about the erection of a body part
• cav·ern·ous·ly adverb