A hollow place in the earth; a subterraneous cavern; a den. This may be natural or artificial. The primitive inhabitants of the earth, in many countries, lived in caves; and the present inhabitants of some parts of the earth, especially in the high northern latitudes, occupy caves, particularly in winter. Lot dwelt in a cave, he and his daughters. Genesis 19:30. Caves were also used for the burial of the dead. Abraham buried Sarah in the cave of the field of Machpelab. Genesis 23:19. Bacon applies the word to the ear, the cave of the ear; but this application is unusual.

To make hollow.

To dwell in a cave. To cave in, to fall in and leave a hollow, as earth on the side of a well or pit. When in digging into the earth, the side is excavated by a falling of a quantity of earth, it is said to cave in.