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 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