Meaning
To make a hole in (something); to hollow.
Etymology
Origin: Latin
First attested in 1599, from Latin excavātus (“hollowed out”), perfect passive participle of excavō (“to hollow out”) (see -ate (verb-forming suffix) and -ate (adjective-forming suffix)), from ex (“out”) + cavō (“to hollow out, pierce”), from cavus (“cave, hole”) + -ō (verb-forming suffix). Participial usage up until Early Modern English.
Synonyms & Antonyms
NYT Puzzle Appearances
Accepted in 1 recorded puzzle: