An Etymological Dictionary of Astronomy and Astrophysics

1. General: An opening through something; an area where something is missing; a serious discrepancy.
   

2. Astro.: → black hole; → coronal hole.
   

3. Electronics: The absence of an electron in the valency structure of a crystalline semiconductor, behaving like a positive charge carrier.

Etymology (EN): O.E. hol “orifice, hollow place,” from P.Gmc. *khulaz (cf. O.H.G. hol, M.Du. hool, Ger. hohl “hollow”), from PIE base *kel- “to cover, conceal.” → cell.

Etymology (PE): Surâx “hole,” from Mid.Pers. sûlâk “whole, aperture,” Av. sūra- “hole;” cf. Gk. koilos “hollow,” L. cava “cave,” cavus “hollow;” PIE base keuə- “to swell; vault, hole.”
Câlé, câl “hole,” from câh “a well, pit,” from Mid.Pers. câh “a well;” Av. cāt- “a well,” from kan- “to dig,” uskən- “to dig out” (O.Pers. kan- “to dig,” akaniya- “it was dug;” Mod.Pers. kandan “to dig”); cf. Skt. khan- “to dig,” khanati “he digs,” kha- “cavity, hollow, cave, aperture.”