dig1

[dig] /dɪg/
verb (used without object), dug or (Archaic) digged, digging.
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 by removing or turning over material:
to dig through the files.
verb (used with object), dug or (Archaic) digged, digging.
3.
to break up, turn over, or loosen (earth, sand, etc.), as with a shovel, spade, or bulldozer (often followed by up).
4.
to form or excavate (a hole, tunnel, etc.) by removing material.
5.
to unearth, obtain, or remove by digging (often followed by up or out).
6.
to find or discover by effort or search.
7.
to poke, thrust, or force (usually followed by in or into):
He dug his heel into the ground.
noun
8.
thrust; poke:
He gave me a dig in the ribs with his elbow.
9.
a cutting, sarcastic remark.
10.
an archaeological site undergoing excavation.
11.
digs, Informal. living quarters; lodgings.
Verb phrases
12.
dig in,
  1. to dig trenches, as in order to defend a position in battle.
  2. to maintain one's opinion or position.
  3. to start eating.
13.
dig into, Informal. to attack, work, or apply oneself voraciously, vigorously, or energetically:
to dig into one's work; to dig into a meal.
14.
dig out,
  1. to remove earth or debris from by digging.
  2. to hollow out by digging.
  3. to find by searching:
    to dig out facts for a term paper.
15.
dig up,
  1. to discover in the course of digging.
  2. to locate; find:
    to dig up information.
Origin
1275-1325; Middle English diggen, perhaps representing an OE derivative of dīc ditch; Middle French diguer to dig (< Middle Dutch) is attested later and apparently not the immediate source
British Dictionary definitions for dig in

dig in

verb (adverb)
1.
(military) to create (a defensive position) by digging foxholes, trenches, etc
2.
(informal) to entrench (oneself) firmly
3.
(intransitive) (informal) to defend or maintain a position firmly, as in an argument
4.
(intransitive) (informal) to begin vigorously to eat: don't wait, just dig in
5.
(informal) dig one's heels in, to refuse stubbornly to move or be persuaded

dig

/dɪɡ/
verb digs, digging, dug
1.
when tr, often foll by up. to cut into, break up, and turn over or remove (earth, soil, etc), esp with a spade
2.
to form or excavate (a hole, tunnel, passage, etc) by digging, usually with an implement or (of animals) with feet, claws, etc: to dig a tunnel
3.
(often foll by through) to make or force (one's way), esp by removing obstructions: he dug his way through the crowd
4.
(transitive; often foll by out or up) to obtain by digging: to dig potatoes, to dig up treasure
5.
(transitive; often foll by out or up) to find or discover by effort or searching: to dig out unexpected facts
6.
(transitive; foll by in or into) to thrust or jab (a sharp instrument, weapon, etc); poke: he dug his spurs into the horse's side
7.
(transitive; foll by in or into) to mix (compost, etc) with soil by digging
8.
(transitive) (informal) to like, understand, or appreciate
9.
(intransitive) (US, slang) to work hard, esp for an examination
10.
(intransitive) (Brit, informal) to have lodgings: I dig in South London
noun
11.
the act of digging
12.
a thrust or poke, esp in the ribs
13.
a cutting or sarcastic remark
14.
(informal) an archaeological excavation
See also dig in, digs
Word Origin
C13 diggen, of uncertain origin

Dig

/dɪɡ/
noun
1.
(NZ, informal) short for Digger (sense 1)
Word Origin and History for dig in

dig

v.

early 14c. (diggen), of uncertain origin, perhaps related to dike and ditch, either via Old French diguer (ultimately from a Germanic source), or directly from an unrecorded Old English word. Native words were deolfan (see delve), grafan (see grave (v.)).

Slang sense of "understand" first recorded 1934 in Black English, probably based on the notion of "excavate." A slightly varied sense of "appreciate" emerged 1939. Strong past participle dug appeared 16c., but is not etymological. Related: Digging.

n.

late 17c. as "a tool for digging," from dig (v.). Meaning "archaeological expedition" is from 1896. Meaning "thrust or poke" (as with an elbow) is from 1819; figurative sense of this is from 1840.

Slang definitions & phrases for dig in

dig in

verb phrase

To begin to eat: It's on the table, so dig in (1912+)


dig

noun
  1. A derogatory, irritating, or contemptuous comment: It wasn't quite an insult, more a dig (1840+)
  2. An archaeological excavation (1896+)
verb
  1. To interrogate or inquire vigorously: She won't tell you, no matter how hard you dig (1940s+)
  2. To understand; comprehend: Nobody ain't pimping on me. You dig me? (1930s+ Black)
  3. o like; admire; prefer: Do you dig gazpacho and macho? (1930s+ Black)
  4. dig up
  5. To hear or see in performance; catch: dug a heavy sermon at Smoky Mary's last week (1930s+ Black)
Related Terms

take a dig at someone

[the cool senses, originally black, are probably related to the early 19th-century sense, ''study hard, strive to understand'']


Idioms and Phrases with dig in

dig in

.
Excavate trenches to defend oneself in battle and hold one's position, as in The battalion dug in and held on. This usage gained currency in the trench warfare of World War I. [ Mid-1800s ]
.
Also, dig in one's heels. Adopt a firm position, be obstinate and unyielding. For example, Arthur refused to argue the point and simply dug in, or The dog dug in its heels and refused to move. [ ; late 1800s ]
.
Begin to work intensively, as in If we all dig in it'll be done before dark. [ ; second half of 1800s ]
.
Also, dig into. Begin to eat heartily, as in Even before all the food was on the table they began to dig in, or When the bell rang, the kids all dug into their lunches. [ ; early 1900s ]