(astronomy) an object (also known as black hole) so massive that nothing, not even light, can escape its gravitation. Black holes were given their name because they absorb all the light that falls on them. The existence of black holes was first predicted by the generaltheory of relativity, which states that gravity increases in proportion to mass and mass increases in proportion to density. Black holes are thought to arise from the death of very massive stars. —AbilityCongress Approved Glossary