cavitary - Meaning, Image, Examples & Etymology - Learn English Visually

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cavitary

|cav-i-ta-ry|

🇺🇸

/ˈkævɪtəri/

🇬🇧

/ˈkævɪt(ə)ri/

relating to a hollow/cavity

Etymology

Etymology Information

'cavitary' originates from Latin, specifically the root 'cav-' from 'cavus' meaning 'hollow', formed by the noun 'cavity' plus the adjective-forming suffix '-ary' meaning 'pertaining to'.

Historical Evolution

'cavitary' developed via Late Latin 'cavitas' and Old French 'cavite' into Middle English 'cavity', and the modern adjective 'cavitary' arose by adding '-ary' to denote 'pertaining to a cavity'.

Meaning Changes

Initially it referred simply to 'hollow' or 'having a hollow'; over time it evolved to mean 'relating to or forming a cavity', particularly in medical and technical contexts.

Meanings by Part of Speech

Adjective 1

relating to or characterized by a cavity; having a hollow or hollowed area (often used in medical contexts, e.g., cavitary lesion).

The CT scan revealed a cavitary lesion in the upper lobe of the lung.

Synonyms

hollow cavernous hollowed concave

Antonyms

solidnoncavitarycompact

Adjective 2

having one or more cavities or hollow spaces (descriptive, e.g., cavitary structure).

The geologist described the rock as cavitary, with several small voids throughout.

Synonyms