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cave

noun
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\ ˈkāv How to pronounce cave (audio) \
plural caves

Definition of cave

 (Entry 1 of 3)

1 : a natural chamber or series of chambers in the earth or in the side of a hill or cliff
2 : a usually underground chamber for storage a wine cave also : the articles stored there
3 : a place providing privacy or seclusion from others When a friend dragged her out of her cave to go salsa dancing for the first time, the rhythms … stepped into her soul …— Leslie Guttman — see also man cave

cave

verb (1)
caved; caving

Definition of cave (Entry 2 of 3)

transitive verb

: to form a cave in or under

intransitive verb

: to explore caves especially as a sport or hobby

cave

verb (2)
\ ˈkāv How to pronounce cave (audio) \
caved; caving

Definition of cave (Entry 3 of 3)

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
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Other Words from cave

Verb (1)

caver \ ˈkā-​vər How to pronounce caver (audio) \ noun

Synonyms for cave

Synonyms: Noun

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Examples of cave in a Sentence

Noun Kentucky's Mammoth Cave is actually a series of large chambers on five levels.

First Known Use of cave

Noun

13th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Verb (1)

15th century, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

Verb (2)

1513, in the meaning defined at intransitive sense 1

History and Etymology for cave

Noun

Middle English, borrowed from Anglo-French, borrowed from Latin cava, noun derivative from feminine of cavus "hollow, concave" — more at hole entry 1

Verb (1)

Middle English caven, in part derivative of cave cave entry 1, in part borrowed from Latin cavāre "to hollow out" — more at excavate

Verb (2)

probably alteration of calve

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Time Traveler for cave

Time Traveler

The first known use of cave was in the 13th century

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Cite this Entry

“Cave.” The Merriam-Webster.com Dictionary, Merriam-Webster Inc., https://www.merriam-webster.com/dictionary/cave. Accessed 17 January 2020.

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More Definitions for cave

cave

noun
How to pronounce cave (audio)

English Language Learners Definition of cave

: a large hole that was formed by natural processes in the side of a cliff or hill or under the ground

See the full definition for cave in the English Language Learners Dictionary

cave

noun
\ ˈkāv How to pronounce cave (audio) \

Kids Definition of cave

 (Entry 1 of 2)

: a large hollow place formed by natural processes in the side of a hill or cliff or underground

cave

verb
caved; caving

Kids Definition of cave (Entry 2 of 2)

: to fall or cause to fall in or down : collapse The mine caved in.

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More from Merriam-Webster on cave

Thesaurus: All synonyms and antonyms for cave

Rhyming Dictionary: Words that rhyme with cave

Spanish Central: Translation of cave

Nglish: Translation of cave for Spanish Speakers

Britannica English: Translation of cave for Arabic Speakers

Britannica.com: Encyclopedia article about cave

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