dig dig /ˈdɪg/

noun

1. The act of touching someone suddenly with your finger or elbow  ( dig , jab )
   the act of touching someone suddenly with your finger or elbow
    She gave me a sharp dig in the ribs
   she gave me a sharp dig in the ribs
   
2. The act of digging  ( dig , digging , excavation )
   the act of digging
    There's an interesting excavation going on near Princeton
   there's an interesting excavation going on near Princeton
   
   
3. A small gouge (as in the cover of a book)  ( dig )
   a small gouge (as in the cover of a book)
    The book was in good condition except for a dig in the back cover
   the book was in good condition except for a dig in the back cover
   
4. [Informal] An aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect  ( dig [Informal] , gibe , shot , barb , jibe , shaft , slam )
   an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect
    His parting shot was drop dead'
   his parting shot was drop dead'
    She threw shafts of sarcasm
   she threw shafts of sarcasm
    She takes a dig at me every chance she gets
   she takes a dig at me every chance she gets
   
5. (archeology) the site of an archeological exploration  ( archeological site , dig , excavation )
   (archeology) the site of an archeological exploration
    They set up camp next to the dig
   they set up camp next to the dig
   
   

verb

1. () Turn up, loosen, or remove earth  ( cut into , delve [Archaic] , turn over , dig )
   turn up, loosen, or remove earth
    Dig we must
   Dig we must
    Turn over the soil for aeration
   turn over the soil for aeration
   
2. () Create by digging  ( dig out , dig )
   create by digging
    Dig a hole
   dig a hole
    Dig out a channel
   dig out a channel
   
3. [Informal] Get the meaning of something  ( compass , dig [Informal] , grok [Informal, N. American] , apprehend , comprehend , get the picture , grasp , savvy )
   get the meaning of something
    Do you comprehend the meaning of this letter?
   Do you comprehend the meaning of this letter?
   
4. Poke or thrust abruptly  ( dig , prod , stab , jab , poke )
   poke or thrust abruptly
    He jabbed his finger into her ribs
   he jabbed his finger into her ribs
   
5. Remove the inner part or the core of  ( dig , excavate , hollow )
   remove the inner part or the core of
    The mining company wants to excavate the hillside
   the mining company wants to excavate the hillside
   
6. Thrust down or into  ( dig )
   thrust down or into
    Dig the oars into the water
   dig the oars into the water
    Dig your foot into the floor
   dig your foot into the floor
   
7. Remove, harvest, or recover by digging  ( dig , dig out , dig up )
   remove, harvest, or recover by digging
    Dig salt
   dig salt
    Dig coal
   dig coal
   
8. [Informal, American] Work hard  ( dig [Informal, American] , drudge , fag [Informal] , grind [Informal] , labor [American] , labour [Canadian, British] , moil [ N. American] , toil , travail )
   work hard
    She was digging away at her math homework
   She was digging away at her math homework
    Lexicographers drudge all day long
   Lexicographers drudge all day long