hollow sea

noun

1. an ocean wave formation in which the rise from troughs to crests is very steep.

Word History and Origins

Origin of hollow sea¹

First recorded in 1720–30

Example Sentences

Coming from the northward, it will be advisable to keep an offing until the western entrance of the Strait is well under the lee, to avoid being thrown upon the coast to the northward of Cape Victory, which is rugged and inhospitable, and, forming as it were a breakwater to the deep rolling swell of the ocean, is for some miles off fringed by a cross hollow sea almost amounting to breakers.

From Project Gutenberg

The wind blowing strong, directly against us, and strengthening as we advanced, caused a hollow sea, that repeatedly broke over us.

From Project Gutenberg

I can feel the vasty mountains Heave and settle under me, And the Doomkeel veer and tremor, Crumbling on the hollow sea.

From Project Gutenberg

There were no strong pools in the hollow sea To drag at them and suck down side and beak, No wind to catch them in the teeth and hair, No shoal, no shallow among the roaring reefs, No gulf whereout the straining tides throw spars, No surf where white bones twist like whirled white fire.

From Project Gutenberg

In sailing from the 25th to the 28th, the wind was accompanied with a large hollow sea, which rendered Captain Cook certain, that no land, of any considerable extent, could lie within a hundred or a hundred and fifty leagues from east to south-west.

From Project Gutenberg