noun
pothole
A deep natural pit or vertical cave.
The hikers keep their distance from the deep, narrow pothole.
Etymology
The compound compares a deep hollow to a pot. In cave terminology, it names a natural pit or vertical opening rather than damage to a road.
More examples
- A rope allows the cavers to descend into the pothole.
- Several natural potholes open into a larger cave below.
- We cannot see the bottom of the pothole from its rim.
Forms
pothole · potholes