Hollowing: meaning, definitions and examples

Etymology

• 'Hollow' comes from the Old English word 'holh', meaning a 'hole' or 'depression.'
• The suffix '-ing' indicates an ongoing action, turning 'hollow' into the act of creating emptiness.
• Related words like 'hollowed' have been used since around the 12th century to describe emptied spaces.

Cultural Significance

• In art, hollowing objects is often used to create sculptures where the interior can resonate with sound or light.
• Hollowing trees is an ancient practice used by various cultures to create canoes and drums, emphasizing resourcefulness.
• In literature, hollow characters or settings often symbolize emptiness or lack of substance, leading to deeper narratives.

Psychology

• The experience of feeling 'hollow' can relate to emotional emptiness, often connected to loneliness or depression.
• Psychologists use the concept of 'hollowing' in therapeutic contexts to discuss filling emotional voids with healthy relationships and activities.
• Research suggests that people often seek connections and experiences to avoid feelings of hollowness in their lives.

Science

• Hollow structures in engineering, like beams and pipes, are designed to maximize strength while minimizing weight.
• Certain animals, like jellyfish, have hollow bodies that help them float and move more efficiently in water.
• In biology, hollow organs (like the stomach) have specific adaptations to fulfill their functions, often involving a delicate balance of structure.

Literature

• The idea of 'hollow men' can be traced to T.S. Eliot's poem, where it reflects themes of despair and existential crisis.
• Hollowing out themes in novels often relate to characters' struggles with identity, purpose, or connection to others.
• Mythological tales frequently use the concept of emptiness to frame quests for fulfillment or self-discovery.

This word's position of #32,249 indicates it's among the more rare English words. While understanding it broadens your vocabulary, focus on more common words first.

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• 32246 palest
• 32247 hybridizing
• 32248 emend
• 32249 hollowing
• 32250 fritters
• 32251 protract
• 32252 bespectacled
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