See Also: Cave(medicine)
cave(encyclopedia)
cave(dictionary)
cave(4)(dictionary)
cave(3)(dictionary)
cave(2)(dictionary)
cave(1)(dictionary)
cave-in(dictionary)
Altamira Cave(tourism)
cave 2, verb(dictionary)

cave (iou)



cave verb3. . E18.
[Perh. of Low German origin: cf. Western Flemish inkalven fall in, Dutch afkalven fall away, uitkalven fall out. Infl. by CAVE verb1, verb2.]
Usu. foll. by in (without in chiefly US).
verb intrans. Fall in over a hollow, subside; give way, yield to pressure, (lit. & fig.); submit, withdraw opposition. E18.
W. Irving The earth caved in, so as to leave a vacant space. L. Steffens Men caved all around, but the women were firm. D. Bagley The front of the building caved in.., seeming to collapse in slow motion.
verb trans. Cause to subside or yield to pressure; smash, bash, or beat in. E19.
B. Harte Reckons she's caved in his head.
Comb.: cave-in a fall of earth, an inward collapse under pressure.