I. ˈdīˌjest sometimes -_jə̇st noun
( -s )
Etymology: Middle English Digest compilation of Roman laws ordered by Justinian, from Late Latin Digesta, plural, from Latin, collection of writings arranged under various headings, from neuter plural of digestus, past participle of digerere to divide, distribute, arrange, digest, from di- (from dis- apart) + gerere to bear, carry — more at dis- , cast
1. : a short summation of or the compressed kernel of a body of information: as
a. : a compilation of legal rules, statutes, or decisions systematically arranged
b. : a literary condensation or abridgment
c. : a periodical usually of small format that characteristically prints condensed versions of articles previously published elsewhere
on the shelves were digests and pulp magazines
2. : a product of digestion ; specifically : a mixture of breakdown products of a complex organic substance (as meat) resulting from the controlled action of one or more enzymes — see digest medium
Synonyms: see compendium
II. (ˈ)dī|jest also də̇ˈj- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English digesten, from Latin digestus, past participle
transitive verb
1. obsolete : separate , distribute : dispose separately or in parts or groups
2. : to distribute or arrange systematically : work over and classify : reduce to portions for ready use or application ; specifically : codify
digest the laws
3. : to think over and arrange systematically in the mind : receive in the mind and consider : comprehend
4.
a. : to subject to or transform by digestion : convert (food) into absorbable form
b. : to cause or aid the digestion of (food)
pancreatic enzymes digest most of the protein
c. : to break down in vitro in a manner similar to digestion in vivo
sugars are digested by yeasts
5. : to appropriate or assimilate mentally
read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them — Book of Com. Prayer
6. : to bear patiently : be reconciled to : brook
digest many insults
7. obsolete : to cause to generate pus
8. : to change the nature of (a substance) by various means: as
a. : to soften or decompose by heat and moisture or chemicals often under pressure : cook
b. : to extract soluble ingredients from (as plant or animal materials) by warming with a liquid — compare macerate 3a
c. : to decompose by chemicals (as acids) without heating
9. : to compress (a piece of literature or a body of information) into a short summary form containing the essential core of the matter
intransitive verb
1.
a. : to digest food
don't bother me; I'm resting and digesting
b. : to become digested : undergo digestion
soft-boiled eggs digest easily
2. obsolete : to generate pus : suppurate