cav-, cavo-, cava-, cavi-, cavern-

The surface erosion of a material caused by the formation and scallops of cavities when the material is immersed in a liquid environment; for example, the erosion of an operating bronze ship propeller.

1. Holes in the two outer layers of a tooth called the enamel and the dentin.

The enamel is the outermost white hard surface and the dentin is the yellow layer just beneath enamel. Both layers serve to protect the inner living tooth tissue called the pulp, where blood vessels and nerves reside.

Small cavities may not cause pain, and may be unnoticed by the patient. Larger cavities can collect food, and the inner pulp of the affected tooth can become irritated by bacterial toxins, foods that are cold, hot, sour, or sweet; therefore, causing toothache. Also referred to as caries.

A region of a plasma with reduced mass density and enhanced wave energy density.

1. A hollow space or concavity in an organ, part, or structure; often designating only a potential space; cavitas.
2. A hollow place or space or a potential space, within the body or in one of its organs; it may be normal or pathological.
3. A natural hollow or sinus within the body.
3. A soft decayed area in a tooth; progressive decay can lead to the death of a tooth.
4. A sizeable hole (usually in the ground).

An enclosed space or cavity in an organ or a part of the body.

The process of making concave.

1. Curved like a segment of the interior of a circle or hollow sphere; hollow and curved.
2. Curved inward like the inner surface of a bowl or sphere.
3. In geometry: A reference to a polygon having at least one interior angle greater than 180°.

1. The state or quality of being concave.
2. A concave surface or thing; a cavity.
3. A hollow or depression, with more or less evenly curved sides, on any surface.

1. Someone who entices or lures another person or thing, as into danger, a trap, etc.
2. Anything used as a lure.
3. A trained bird or other animal used to entice game into a trap or within gunshot.
4. An artificial bird, as a painted wooden duck, used to lure other water ducks, etc., close enough to be shot.
5. A pond into which wild fowl are lured for capture.
6. An object capable of reflecting radar waves, used as a spurious aircraft, missile, chaff, etc., for the deception of radar detectors.

To hide in, or as in, a cave or recess.

1. To make a hole in; hollow out.
2. To form by hollowing out.
3. To remove by digging or scooping out.
4. To expose or uncover by or as if by digging.
5. To engage in digging, hollowing out, or removing.

1. The act or process of excavating.
2. A hole formed by excavating.

1. A large machine with a hinged metal bucket attached to a hydraulic arm, used to move large quantities of earth or soil or for lifting.
2. A power-driven machine for digging, moving, or transporting loose gravel, sand, or soil.
3. A person or animal that digs or hollows something out; especially, someone who is engaged in archaeological excavationn.
4. In medicine, an instrument like a large sharp spoon or scoop, used in scraping out pathologic tissue.
5. In dentistry, an instrument, generally a small "spoon" or curette, for cleaning out and shaping a carious cavity preparatory to filling.

1. A cylindrical metal container filled with earth and stones, used in the construction and rerouting of waterways and in flood control.
2. A hollow cylinder of wickerwork, like a basket without a bottom. Gabions are made of various sizes, and filled with earth in building fieldworks to shelter men from an enemy's fire.
3. An openwork frame, as of poles, filled with stones and sunk, to assist in forming a bar dyke, etc., as in harbor improvement.

From the Mid-16th century; via French, Italian gabbione "large cage"; gabbia, "cage", from Latin cavea, "hollow".

A correctional institution used to detain persons who are in the lawful custody of the government (either accused persons awaiting trial or convicted persons serving a sentence); a jail.