cave in English
- cave⇄adj. cavelike.
- cave⇄cave (1), noun, verb, caved,caving.
- cave⇄cave (2), interjection, verb.
(British Slang.) - cave⇄cave (3), noun.
(French.)
1. a wine cellar.
2. a small, intimate cabaret in such a cellar. - cave⇄expr. cave in,
a. to fall in; sink.
Ex. The weight of the snow caused the roof of the cabin to cave in. Two brothers ... were at work ... dismantling an old pit shaft, when a portion of the sides caved in (Manchester Guardian).
b. to - cave⇄interj. beware! look out!
- cave⇄noun 1. a hollow space underground, especially one with an opening in the side of a hill or mountain; cavern or den.
Ex. He found four caves in the side of Lime Hill. A cave has three zones: the open area just inside the entrance, a twilight region - cave⇄v.i. to cave in.
Ex. He dug his cellar for the new part too near the house ... and it has caved and let one end of the house down (Thoreau). - cave⇄v.t. to be on guard against; beware.
Ex. Cave the dog! - cave⇄v.t. to hollow out; make into a cave.
Ex. as if the ground were caved full of hollow galleries (Holme Lee).
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cave in Sindhi سنڌي
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Cave
Part of Speech
Noun
Pronunciation
/keɪv/
Definitions
- Cave (noun): A natural underground space, typically large enough for a human to enter, often formed by erosion or geological activity.
- Cave (noun, metaphorical): A shelter or refuge, often used symbolically to represent isolation or a place of retreat.
- Cave (verb): To hollow out or form a cave, or to give in to pressure or an opposing force.
Usage Examples
- The explorers ventured deep into the cave to study the ancient paintings on the walls.
- She found solace in her cave, away from the chaos of the outside world.
- Under intense questioning, he eventually caved and confessed to the crime.
Etymology
The word 'cave' comes from the Latin word 'cavea,' meaning 'a hollow' or 'enclosure.' It evolved through Old French 'cave' to its modern usage in English. The term originally referred to any enclosed space or hollow, later narrowing to refer specifically to natural formations.
Synonyms
- Grotto
- Den
- Vault
- Chamber
- Hollow
Antonyms
- Open
- Exposed
- Surface
- Exterior
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Cueva | kweh-vah |
| French | Caverne | ka-vairn |
| Italian | Caverna | ka-veh-rna |
| German | Höhle | huh-luh |
| Portuguese | Caverna | ka-veh-rna |
| Chinese (Simplified) | 洞穴 | dòngxué |
| Japanese | 洞窟 | dōkutsu |
| Korean | 동굴 | donggul |
| Arabic | مغارة | maghara |
| Russian | Пещера | peshchera |
| Hindi | गुफा | guphā |
| Bengali | গুহা | guhā |
| Marathi | गुफा | guphā |
| Gujarati | ગુફા | guphā |
| Punjabi | ਗੁਫਾ | guphā |
| Tamil | குகை | kugai |
| Telugu | గుళి | guḷi |
| Malayalam | ഗുഹ | guha |
| Kannada | ಗುಹ | guha |
| Odia | ଗୁଫା | guphā |
| Assamese | গুহা | guhā |
| Swahili | Pango | pan-go |
| Turkish | Mağara | ma-gha-ra |
| Polish | Jaskinia | yas-kee-nya |
| Swedish | Grotta | groh-tah |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
In certain regions, such as southern Italy, the word 'cave' may be pronounced with a softer 'a' sound, resembling 'kav' rather than 'kayv.' In some British dialects, the word may be slightly more drawn out in its pronunciation.
Historical Usage
The use of 'cave' to describe an underground space has been consistent since its Latin origins. In medieval times, caves were often used as shelters, and in later periods, they became associated with hermits or isolated religious figures. In ancient cultures, caves were used for ritualistic purposes, and many famous cave paintings have been discovered in archaeological sites worldwide.
Cultural Nuances
Caves hold significant cultural meaning across different societies. In some cultures, caves are seen as places of mystery or spiritual refuge, while in others, they represent places of danger or hidden secrets. In literature and mythology, caves often symbolize isolation, introspection, or a threshold between the mundane and the mystical.
More Information
The concept of caves has influenced art, literature, and architecture for centuries. Caves are often portrayed as mysterious places that harbor ancient secrets or hidden knowledge. In geology, caves are studied for their unique formations and ecosystems, and they offer critical insights into the history of the Earth. Some caves, such as those found in France and Spain, contain prehistoric cave paintings that date back thousands of years and provide valuable information about early human life.