verb
cave
To collapse inward under pressure.
The weakened roof begins to cave inward under the snow.
Etymology
Latin cavus meant hollow. In cave in, the sides or roof of a hollow space collapse inward; the verb extends that image to other structures giving way.
More examples
- The tunnel walls caved in after the supports broke.
- She refuses to cave to pressure from the board.
- He finally caved and agreed to extend the deadline.
Forms
cave · caves · caved · caving