v. & n.
--v. (digging; past and past part. dug)
1. intr. break up and remove or turn over soil, ground, etc., with a tool, one's hands, (of an animal) claws, etc.
2 tr. a break up and displace (the ground etc.) in this way. b (foll. by up) break up the soil of (fallow land).
3 tr. make (a hole, grave, tunnel, etc.) by digging.
4 tr. (often foll. by up, out) a obtain or remove by digging. b find or discover after searching.
5 tr. (also absol.) excavate (an archaeological site).
6 tr. sl. like, appreciate, or understand.
7 tr. & intr. (foll. by in, into) thrust or poke into or down into.
8 intr. make one's way by digging (dug through the mountainside).
--n.
1. a piece of digging.
2 a thrust or poke (a dig in the ribs).
3 colloq. (often foll. by at) a pointed or critical remark.
4 an archaeological excavation.
5 (in pl.) Brit. colloq. lodgings.
Phrases and idioms:
dig one's feet (or heels or toes) in be obstinate. dig in colloq. begin eating. dig oneself in 1 prepare a defensive trench or pit.
2 establish one's position.
Etymology: ME digge, of uncert. orig.: cf. OE dic ditch