cavernous (adj.)

c. 1400, "full of caverns," from Latin cavernosus "full of cavities" (source also of Italian cavernoso, French caverneux), from caverna (see cavern). In English, the meaning "full of cavities, porous" is from 1590s. The meaning "deeply hollowed out" is recorded from 1830.

updated on November 16, 2022