cavernous

== English == === Etymology === Late Middle English cavernous, cavernose, borrowing from Old French caverneux or Latin cavernōsus (“full of hollows or cavities”), from caverna (“a hollow, cavity, cave”) +‎ -ōsus (“-ous, -ose”, adjectival suffix); equivalent to cavern +‎ -ous. === Pronunciation === (Received Pronunciation) IPA(key): /ˈkav.ən.əs/ (General American) IPA(key): /ˈkæv.ɚ.nəs/ Rhymes: -ævə(ɹ)nəs === Adjective === cavernous (comparative more cavernous, superlative most cavernous) Resembling a cavern in size, shape, or atmosphere. Synonym: cavelike Giving the impression of vast, dark depths. Having many caverns. (anatomy, zootomy) Composed largely of vascular sinuses and capable of dilating with blood to bring about the erection of a body part. (dentistry) Having cavities. ==== Derived terms ==== ==== Translations ==== === References === “cavernous”, in Lexico, Dictionary.com; Oxford University Press, 2019–2022. “cavernous”, in Merriam-Webster.com Online Dictionary, Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster, 1996–present. == Middle English == === Alternative forms === cavernose === Etymology === From Old French caverneux or Latin cavernōsus (“full of hollows or cavities”); equivalent to caverne +‎ -ous. === Pronunciation === IPA(key): /ˈkavɛrnus/, /ˌkavɛrˈnɔːs(ə)/ === Adjective === cavernous (Late Middle English, literary) Having a cavern or caverns; hollow. Having a cavity or hole. ==== Descendants ==== English: cavernous ==== References ==== “cavernǒus, adj.”, in MED Online, Ann Arbor, Mich.: University of Michigan, 2007.