Meaning of cavus | Babel Free

Definitions

1. hollow, hollowed out, cavernous, concave
   adjective, declension-1, declension-2
2. excavated, channeled
   adjective, declension-1, declension-2
3. vain, empty
   adjective, declension-1, declension-2

Examples

“Haec ubi dicta, cavum conversā cuspide montem”

As soon as these words were said, [King Aeolus], with [his] lance-head turned over, struck the hollow mountain on [its] side …. (The A-B-B-A pattern known as chiasmus: “cavum conversa cuspide montem.” This example separates the adjective “cavum” from its noun “montem,” and creates rhythmical alliteration and consonance through three successive hard “c” sounds. In addition, the Latin word order in lines 81-82 builds tension: The reader first pictures the hollow mountain, next the king dramatically overturning his spear towards it, and lastly striking his spear against the mountainside.)

CEFR level