cave
cave Lexical Profile
cave Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A large natural underground chamber or hollow space, typically extending deep into the earth or into the side of a hill or cliff.
"The explorers used powerful headlamps to navigate the dark, winding passages of the limestone cave."
• verb
To collapse or fall inwards.
"The old mine shaft began to cave under the immense weight of the structural damage."
To yield to pressure, demands, or opposition; to submit.
"After hours of relentless negotiation, the management finally caved and offered a higher salary."
To explore natural caves as a recreational activity or sport.
"We plan to cave in the extensive limestone systems of the Appalachian Mountains this weekend."
Word Nuance & Usage
When used as a verb to mean yielding or collapsing, 'cave' is most frequently paired with the preposition 'in' to form the phrasal verb 'cave in'.
• Rhymes for cave
Word Origin & Etymology
From Middle English 'cave', borrowed from Old French 'cave', originating from Latin 'cava', the feminine of 'cavus' meaning 'hollow'.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.