hollow

views updated May 11 2018

hol·low / ˈhälō/ • adj. 1. having a hole or empty space inside: each fiber has a hollow core. ∎  (of a thing) having a depression in its surface; concave: hollow cheeks. ∎  (of a sound) echoing, as though made in or on an empty container: a hollow cough.2. without significance: the result was a hollow victory. ∎  insincere: a hollow promise.• n. a hole or depression in something: a hollow at the base of a large tree. ∎  a small valley: the house fell behind as they climbed out of the hollow.• v. [tr.] form by making a hole: a tunnel was hollowed out in a mountain range. ∎  make a depression in.PHRASES: beat someone hollow defeat or surpass someone completely or thoroughly. in the hollow of one's hand entirely in one's power: great events lay in the hollow of his hand.DERIVATIVES: hol·low·ly adv.hol·low·ness n.

hollow

views updated May 29 2018

hollow adj. XII. ME. holʒ, holu, inflected hol(e)we, attrib. use of OE. holh hole, cave, obscurely rel. to hol HOLE.
Hence vb. XV, sb.

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