Definition of "cavitate" []

• To form vapour bubbles in a flowing liquid in a region where the pressure of the liquid falls below its vapour pressure. (verb)

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• "People have been struggling for years to try and design a very fast rotating boat propeller that doesn't cavitate and literally wear away the metal and put holes in it, just like these pictures show."
• "If the motor is mounted too high above the water, the propeller will slip, churn, and cavitate with little useful power."
• "_Cor. _ 6-petala, campanulata, supra ungues cavitate nectarifera."