Hollow

Hol′low, a. [OE. holow, holgh, holf, AS. holh a hollow, hole. Cf. Hole.] 1. Having an empty space or cavity, natural or artificial, within a solid substance; not solid; excavated in the interior; as, a hollow tree; a hollow sphere.

Hollow with boards shalt thou make it. Ex. xxvii. 8.

2. Depressed; concave; gaunt; sunken.

With hollow eye and wrinkled brow. Shak.

3. Reverberated from a cavity, or resembling such a sound; deep; muffled; as, a hollow roar. Dryden.

4. Not sincere or faithful; false; deceitful; not sound; as, a hollow heart; a hollow friend. Milton.

Hollow newel (Arch.), an opening in the center of a winding staircase in place of a newel post, the stairs being supported by the wall; an open newel; also, the stringpiece or rail winding around the well of such a staircase. — Hollow quoin (Engin.), a pier of stone or brick made behind the lock gates of a canal, and containing a hollow or recess to receive the ends of the gates. — Hollow root. (Bot.) See Moschatel. — Hollow square. See Square. — Hollow ware, hollow vessels; — a trade name for cast-iron kitchen utensils, earthenware, etc.

Syn.- Concave; sunken; low; vacant; empty; void; false; faithless; deceitful; treacherous.

Hol′low, n. 1. A cavity, natural or artificial; an unfilled space within anything; a hole, a cavern; an excavation; as the hollow of the hand or of a tree.

2. A low spot surrounded by elevations; a depressed part of a surface; a concavity; a channel.

Forests grew Upon the barren hollows. Prior.

I hate the dreadful hollow behind the little wood. Tennyson.

Hol′low, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Hollowed; p. pr. & vb. n. Hollowing.] To make hollow, as by digging, cutting, or engraving; to excavate. "Trees rudely hollowed." Dryden.

Hol′low, adv. Wholly; completely; utterly; — chiefly after the verb to beat, and often with all; as, this story beats the other all hollow. See All, adv. [Collog.]

The more civilized so-called Caucasian races have beaten the Turks hollow in the struggle for existence. Darwin.

Hol·low′ (hŏl·lō′), interj. [See Hollo.] Hollo.

Hol′low (hŏl′lō; 277), v. i. To shout; to hollo.

Whisperings and hollowings are alike to a deaf ear. Fuller.

Hol′low, v. t. To urge or call by shouting.

He has hollowed the hounds. Sir W. Scott.