Etymology Map
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Cave

3 stages from Latin to English.

Today it means a large natural hollow in rock

Where does the word "cave" come from? It comes from Latin cava, passing through Old French before entering English (1200s).

1
Stage 1 of 3
cava
Latin · ancient
"hollow"
from 'cavus', hollow
2
Stage 2 of 3
cave
Old French · medieval
"cave"
the same root as 'cavity' and 'cage'
3
Stage 3 of 3
cave
English · 1200s
"hollow in rock"
'cave in', to collapse, dates from the 1700s
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Read the full story

Cave’s story begins in Latin: cava meant “hollow.” From 'cavus', hollow. By medieval, the word had taken hold in Old French as cave. The same root as 'cavity' and 'cage'. It reached English by 1200s as cave. 'cave in', to collapse, dates from the 1700s. Today, cave means a large natural hollow in rock.