Hole

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle)

CIDE DICTIONARY

Hole, a. 

 Whole.  Chaucer.  [1913 Webster]

Hole, n. [OE. hol, hole, AS. hol, hole, cavern, from hol, a., hollow; akin to D. hol, OHG. hol, G. hohl, Dan. huul hollow, hul hole, Sw. hål, Icel. hola; prob. from the root of AS. helan to conceal. See Hele, Hell, and cf. Hold of a ship.].

•  A hollow place or cavity; an excavation; a pit; an opening in or through a solid body, a fabric, etc.; a perforation; a rent; a fissure.  [1913 Webster]

  "The holes where eyes should be."  [1913 Webster]

  "The blind walls
  Were full of chinks and holes."  [1913 Webster]

  "The priest took a chest, and bored a hole in the lid."  [1913 Webster]
•  An excavation in the ground, made by an animal to live in, or a natural cavity inhabited by an animal; hence, a low, narrow, or dark lodging or place; a mean habitation.  Dryden.  [1913 Webster]

  "The foxes have holes, . . . but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head."
•  A small cavity used in some games, usually one into which a marble or ball is to be played or driven; hence, a score made by playing a marble or ball into such a hole, as in golf.  [Webster 1913 Suppl.]

Hole and corner, clandestine, underhand. [Colloq.] “The wretched trickery of hole and corner buffery.” Dickens. -- Hole board (Fancy Weaving), a board having holes through which cords pass which lift certain warp threads; -- called also compass board.

Syn. -- Hollow; concavity; aperture; rent; fissure; crevice; orifice; interstice; perforation; excavation; pit; cave; den; cell.

Hole, v. t. [AS. holian. See Hole, n.].

•  To cut, dig, or bore a hole or holes in; as, to hole a post for the insertion of rails or bars.  Chapman.  [1913 Webster]
•  To drive into a hole, as an animal, or a billiard ball.  [1913 Webster]

Hole, v. i. 

 To go or get into a hole.  B. Jonson.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

Hole, n. & v.
--n.
1 a an empty space in a solid body. b an aperture in or through something.
2 an animal's burrow.
3 a cavity or receptacle for a ball in various sports or games.
4 colloq. a small, mean, or dingy abode.
5 colloq. an awkward situation.
6 Golf a a point scored by a player who gets the ball from tee to hole with the fewest strokes. b the terrain or distance from tee to hole.
7 a position from which an electron is absent, esp. acting as a mobile positive particle in a semiconductor.
--v.tr.
1 make a hole or holes in.
2 pierce the side of (a ship).
3 put into a hole.
4 (also absol.; often foll. by out) send (a golf ball) into a hole.

Idiom

hole-and-corner secret; underhand. hole in the heart a congenital defect in the heart septum. hole in one Golf a shot that enters the hole from the tee. hole in the wall a small dingy place (esp. of business). hole-proof (of materials etc.) treated so as to be resistant to wear. hole up US colloq. hide oneself. in holes worn so much that holes have formed. make a hole in use a large amount of. a round (or square) peg in a square (or round) hole see PEG.

Derivative

holey adj.

Etymology

OE hol, holian (as HOLD(2))

THESAURUS

Hole

Augean stables, Babylon, CAT, Gomorrah, Sodom, abode, abri, abysm, abyss, aerospace, aerosphere, air hole, air pocket, airspace, alveolation, alveolus, antre, antrum, aperture, area, armpit, arroyo, asylum, auger, basement, basin, bearings, bench mark, bind, bite, blemish, blind alley, bolt-hole, booth, bordello, bore, bowl, box, box canyon, breach, break, brig, broach, broaching, brothel, bug, bump, bunker, burrow, cache, cage, canyon, catch, catch-22, cathouse, cave, cavern, cavity, ceiling, cell, cellar, cellarage, cellule, chamber, chap, chasm, check, chimney, chink, clearing, cleft, cleuch, clip joint, clough, coal bin, col, compartment, concave, concavity, concealment, corner, couch, coulee, couloir, countersink, cove, cover, covert, coverture, crack, cranny, crater, crevasse, crevice, crib, crosswind, crypt, cubby, cubbyhole, cul-de-sac, cup, cut, cwm, cyclone cellar, dark corner, dead end, dead-end street, deadlock, deep, defect, defection, deficiency, defile, dell, den, den of iniquity, den of thieves, dent, depression, depth, difficulty, dike, dilemma, dip, disclosure, discontinuity, discrepancy, disrupt, district, ditch, dive, doghouse, donga, donjon, draw, drawback, drill, dugout, dump, dungeon, earth, empierce, emplacement, empty space, enclosed space, error, excavation, extremity, failing, failure, fallacy, fault, faute, favorable wind, fenestra, fissure, fistula, fix, flaw, fleshpots, flume, fog, foible, fold, follicle, fontanel, foramen, form, foxhole, fracture, frailty, front, funk hole, funnel chest, furrow, gap, gape, gash, gat, goal, gore, gorge, gouge, gouge out, grand slam, groove, grot, grotto, gulch, gulf, gully, gyp joint, halt, head wind, hellhole, hiatus, hideaway, hideout, hidey hole, hiding, hiding place, high-pressure area, hit, hold, hole in one, hollow, hollow shell, home run, homer, honeycomb, hot water, hovel, hut, impale, impasse, imperfection, impression, inadequacy, incision, inconsistency, indentation, infirmity, inlet, interstice, interval, ionosphere, jail, jetstream, joint, keep, kink, kloof, lacuna, lair, lance, latitude and longitude, laying open, leak, lieu, little problem, locale, locality, location, locus, lodge, loophole, low-pressure area, manger, mess, mew, mistake, moat, muddle, needle, niche, nook, notch, nullah, open, opening, opening up, orifice, oubliette, outlet, overcast, pass, passage, passageway, penetrate, perforate, perforation, pesthole, pew, pickle, pierce, pigeonhole, pigpen, pigsty, pinch, pink, pinpoint, pit, place, placement, plague spot, playhouse, plight, pocket, point, pore, position, potato cellar, predicament, prick, prison, problem, punch, punch bowl, puncture, ravine, ream, ream out, recess, refuge, region, rent, retreat, riddle, rift, rime, rip, rookery, roughness, run, run through, rupture, sanctuary, scissure, scoop, score, scrape, seam, secret place, sewer, shack, shaft, shanty, shell, shortcoming, sink, sink of corruption, sinus, site, situation, situs, skewer, slam, slit, slot, slum, snag, socket, something missing, soup, space, spear, spike, spit, split, sporting house, spot, stab, stable, stalemate, stall, stand, standstill, stash, stead, stews, stick, stoma, stop, storm cellar, stratosphere, strike, sty, subbasement, substratosphere, subterrane, subway, tail wind, taint, tap, tear, tenement, the slums, throwing open, tight spot, tight squeeze, touchdown, transfix, transpierce, trench, trepan, trephine, tropopause, troposphere, trouble, trough, tumbledown shack, tunnel, turbulence, uncorking, undercovert, unstopping, vacancy, vacuity, vacuum, valley, vault, vent, visibility, visibility zero, void, vug, vulnerable place, wadi, warren, weak link, weak point, weakness, well, whereabout, whereabouts, whorehouse, wine cellar, yawn, yawning abyss

ROGET THESAURUS

Hole

Incompleteness

N incompleteness, deficiency, short measure, shortcoming, insufficiency, imperfection, immaturity, half measures, defect, deficit, defalcation, omission, caret, shortage, interval, break, noncompletion, missing link, missing piece, missing part, gap, hole, lacuna, incomplete, imperfect, unfinished, uncompleted &c (complete), defective, deficient, wanting, lacking, failing, in default, in arrear, short of, hollow, meager, lame, halfand-half, perfunctory, sketchy, crude, mutilated, garbled, docked, lopped, truncated, in progress, in hand, going on, proceeding, incompletely, by halves, caetera desunt, caret.

Place

N place, lieu, spot, point, dot, niche, nook, hole, pigeonhole, compartment, premises, precinct, station, area, courtyard, square, abode, locality, ins and outs, every hole and corner, somewhere, in some place, wherever it may be, here and there, in various places, passim.

Abode

N abode, dwelling, lodging, domicile, residence, apartment, place, digs, pad, address, habitation, where one's lot is cast, local habitation, berth, diggings, seat, lap, sojourn, housing, quarters, headquarters, resiance, tabernacle, throne, ark, home, fatherland, country, homestead, homestall, fireside, hearth, hearth stone, chimney corner, inglenook, ingle side, harem, seraglio, zenana, household gods, lares et penates, roof, household, housing, dulce domum, paternal domicile, native soil, native land, habitat, range, stamping ground, haunt, hangout, biosphere, environment, ecological niche, nest, nidus, snuggery, arbor, bower, lair, den, cave, hole, hiding place, cell, sanctum sanctorum, aerie, eyrie, eyry, rookery, hive, covert, resort, retreat, perch, roost, nidification, kala jagah, bivouac, camp, encampment, cantonment, castrametation, barrack, casemate, casern, tent, building, chamber, xenodochium, tenement, messuage, farm, farmhouse, grange, hacienda, toft, cot, cabin, hut, chalet, croft, shed, booth, stall, hovel, bothy, shanty, dugout, wigwam, pen, barn, bawn, kennel, sty, doghold, cote, coop, hutch, byre, cow house, cow shed, stable, dovecote, columbary, columbarium, shippen, igloo, iglu, jacal, lacustrine dwelling, lacuslake dwelling, lacuspile dwelling, log cabin, log house, shack, shebang, tepee, topek, house, mansion, place, villa, cottage, box, lodge, hermitage, rus in urbe, folly, rotunda, tower, chateau, castle, pavilion, hotel, court, manor-house, capital messuage, hall, palace, kiosk, bungalow, casa, country seat, apartment house, flat house, frame house, shingle house, tenement house, temple, hamlet, village, thorp, dorp, ham, kraal, borough, burgh, town, city, capital, metropolis, suburb, province, country, county town, county seat, courthouse, ghetto, street, place, terrace, parade, esplanade, alameda, board walk, embankment, road, row, lane, alley, court, quadrangle, quad, wynd, close, yard, passage, rents, buildings, mews, square, polygon, circus, crescent, mall, piazza, arcade, colonnade, peristyle, cloister, gardens, grove, residences, block of buildings, market place, place, plaza, anchorage, roadstead, roads, dock, basin, wharf, quay, port, harbor, quarter, parish, assembly room, meetinghouse, pump room, spa, watering place, inn, hostel, hostelry, hotel, tavern, caravansary, dak bungalow, khan, hospice, public house, pub, pot house, mug house, gin mill, gin palace, bar, bar room, barrel house, cabaret, chophouse, club, clubhouse, cookshop, dive, exchange, grill room, saloon, shebeen, coffee house, eating house, canteen, restaurant, buffet, cafe, estaminet, posada, almshouse, poorhouse, townhouse, garden, park, pleasure ground, plaisance, demesne, cage, terrarium, doghouse, pen, aviary, barn, stall, zoo, urban, metropolitan, suburban, provincial, rural, rustic, domestic, cosmopolitan, palatial, eigner Hert ist goldes Werth, even cities have their graves, ubi libertas ibi patria, home sweet home.

Receptacle

N receptacle, inclosure, recipient, receiver, reservatory, compartment, cell, cellule, follicle, hole, corner, niche, recess, nook, crypt, stall, pigeonhole, cove, oriel, cave, capsule, vesicle, cyst, pod, calyx, cancelli, utricle, bladder, pericarp, udder, stomach, paunch, venter, ventricle, crop, craw, maw, gizzard, breadbasket, mouth, pocket, pouch, fob, sheath, scabbard, socket, bag, sac, sack, saccule, wallet, cardcase, scrip, poke, knit, knapsack, haversack, sachel, satchel, reticule, budget, net, ditty bag, ditty box, housewife, hussif, saddlebags, portfolio, quiver, chest, box, coffer, caddy, case, casket, pyx, pix, caisson, desk, bureau, reliquary, trunk, portmanteau, band-box, valise, grip, grip sack, skippet, vasculum, boot, imperial, vache, cage, manger, rack, vessel, vase, bushel, barrel, canister, jar, pottle, basket, pannier, buck-basket, hopper, maund, creel, cran, crate, cradle, bassinet, wisket, whisket, jardiniere, corbeille, hamper, dosser, dorser, tray, hod, scuttle, utensil, brazier, cuspidor, spittoon, cistern, vat, caldron, barrel, cask, drum, puncheon, keg, rundlet, tun, butt, cag, firkin, kilderkin, carboy, amphora, bottle, jar, decanter, ewer, cruse, caraffe, crock, kit, canteen, flagon, demijohn, flask, flasket, stoup, noggin, vial, phial, cruet, caster, urn, epergne, salver, patella, tazza, patera, pig gin, big gin, tyg, nipperkin, pocket pistol, tub, bucket, pail, skeel, pot, tankard, jug, pitcher, mug, pipkin, galipot, gallipot, matrass, receiver, retort, alembic, bolthead, capsule, can, kettle, bowl, basin, jorum, punch bowl, cup, goblet, chalice, tumbler, glass, rummer, horn, saucepan, skillet, posnet, tureen, beaker, flask, Erlenmeyer flask, Florence flask, round-bottom flask, graduated cylinder, test tube, culture tube, pipette, Pasteur pipette, disposable pipette, syringe, vial, carboy, vacuum flask, Petri dish, microtiter tray, centrifuge tube, bail, beaker, billy, canakin, catch basin, catch drain, chatti, lota, mussuk, schooner, spider, terrine, toby, urceus, plate, platter, dish, trencher, calabash, porringer, potager, saucer, pan, crucible, glassware, tableware, vitrics, compote, gravy boat, creamer, sugar bowl, butter dish, mug, pitcher, punch bowl, chafing dish, shovel, trowel, spoon, spatula, ladle, dipper, tablespoon, watch glass, thimble, closet, commode, cupboard, cellaret, chiffonniere, locker, bin, bunker, buffet, press, clothespress, safe, sideboard, drawer, chest of drawers, chest on chest, highboy, lowboy, till, scrutoire, secretary, secretaire, davenport, bookcase, cabinet, canterbury, escritoire, etagere, vargueno, vitrine, chamber, apartment, room, cabin, office, court, hall, atrium, suite of rooms, apartment, flat, story, saloon, salon, parlor, by-room, cubicle, presence chamber, sitting room, best room, keeping room, drawing room, reception room, state room, gallery, cabinet, closet, pew, box, boudoir, adytum, sanctum, bedroom, dormitory, refectory, dining room, salle-a-manger, nursery, schoolroom, library, study, studio, billiard room, smoking room, den, stateroom, tablinum, tenement, bath room, bathroom, toilet, lavatory, powder room, john, jakes, necessary, loo, men's room, ladies' room, rest room, (uncleanness), 653 attic, loft, garret, cockloft, clerestory, cellar, vault, hold, cockpit, cubbyhole, cook house, entre-sol, mezzanine floor, ground floor, rez-de-chaussee, basement, kitchen, pantry, bawarchi-khana, scullery, offices, storeroom, lumber room, dairy, laundry, coach house, garage, hangar, outhouse, penthouse, lean-to, portico, porch, stoop, stope, veranda, patio, lanai, terrace, deck, lobby, court, courtyard, hall, vestibule, corridor, passage, breezeway, ante room, ante chamber, lounge, piazza, veranda, conservatory, greenhouse, bower, arbor, summerhouse, alcove, grotto, hermitage, lodging, bed, carriage, capsular, saccular, sacculated, recipient, ventricular, cystic, vascular, vesicular, cellular, camerated, locular, multilocular, polygastric, marsupial, siliquose, siliquous.

Interval

N interval, interspace, separation, break, gap, opening, hole, chasm, hiatus, caesura, interruption, interregnum, interstice, lacuna, cleft, mesh, crevice, chink, rime, creek, cranny, crack, chap, slit, fissure, scissure, rift, flaw, breach, rent, gash, cut, leak, dike, ha-ha, gorge, defile, ravine, canon, crevasse, abyss, abysm, gulf, inlet, frith, strait, gully, pass, furrow, abra, barranca, barranco, clove, gulch, notch, yawning gulf, hiatus maxime, hiatus valde deflendus, parenthesis, void, incompleteness, period, interim (time), with an interval, far between, breachy, rimose, rimulose, at intervals, longo intervallo.

Opening

N opening, hole, foramen, puncture, perforation, fontanel, transforation, pinhole, keyhole, loophole, porthole, peephole, mousehole, pigeonhole, eye of a needle, eyelet, slot, opening, aperture, apertness, hiation, yawning, oscitancy, dehiscence, patefaction, pandiculation, chasm, embrasure, window, casement, abatjour, light, sky light, fan light, lattice, bay window, bow window, oriel, dormer, lantern, outlet, inlet, vent, vomitory, embouchure, orifice, mouth, sucker, muzzle, throat, gullet, weasand, wizen, nozzle, placket, portal, porch, gate, ostiary, postern, wicket, trapdoor, hatch, door, arcade, cellarway, driveway, gateway, doorway, hatchway, gangway, lich gate, way, path, thoroughfare, channel, passage, passageway, tube, pipe, water pipe, air pipe, vessel, tubule, canal, gut, fistula, adjutage, ajutage, ostium, smokestack, chimney, flue, tap, funnel, gully, tunnel, main, mine, pit, adit, shaft, gallery, alley, aisle, glade, vista, bore, caliber, pore, blind orifice, fulgurite, thundertube, porousness, porosity, sieve, cullender, colander, cribble, riddle, screen, honeycomb, apertion, perforation, piercing, terebration, empalement, pertusion, puncture, acupuncture, penetration, key, opener, master key, password, combination, passe- partout, open, perforated, perforate, wide open, ajar, unclosed, unstopped, oscitant, gaping, yawning, patent, tubular, cannular, fistulous, pervious, permeable, foraminous, vesicular, vasicular, porous, follicular, cribriform, honeycombed, infundibular, riddled, tubulous, tubulated, piped, tubate, opening, aperient, Int, open sesame!.