dig

I

[[t]dɪg[/t]]

v. dug, dig•ging,

1) to break up, turn over, or remove earth, sand, etc., as with a shovel, spade, bulldozer, or claw; make an excavation

2) to make one's way or work by or as if by removing or turning over material:

to dig through the files[/ex]

3) to break up, turn over, or loosen (earth, sand, etc.), as with a shovel (often fol. by up)

4) civ to form or excavate (a hole, tunnel, etc.) by removing material

5) to unearth, obtain, or remove by digging (often fol. by up or out)

6) to find or discover by effort or search

7) to poke, thrust, or force:

He dug his heels into the ground[/ex]

8) phv dig in

a) to maintain one's opinion or position

b) Informal. to start eating

9) phv dig out

a) to hollow out by digging

b) to find by searching

10) phv dig up

to discover as in the course of digging

11) a thrust; poke:

a dig in the ribs[/ex]

12) a cutting, sarcastic remark

13) ara an archaeological site undergoing excavation

14) cvb inf digs, Informal. living quarters; lodgings

•

Etymology: 1275–1325; ME diggen, perh. repr. an OE der. of dīc ditch II

dig

[[t]dɪg[/t]] v. dug, dig•ging. Slang.

1) sts to understand:

Can you dig what I'm saying?[/ex]

2) sts to take notice of:

Dig those shoes he's wearing[/ex]

3) sts to like or enjoy

4) cvs to understand

•

Etymology: 1935–40