dig English · revision 6451

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|attested=before 1200}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /dɪɡ/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English diggen, of uncertain origin,^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) perhaps related to [[dike]] and [[ditch]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986) either through Anglo-French diguer, from Old French digue, dike, or from an unrecorded Old English verb formed from dīc, ditch.^(Etymonline)^(Hoad 1986)^(SOED 2002) MWU suggests an imitative origin.^(MWU 2024) The older native words were delve and grave.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ To make a ditch or excavation: probably before 1200, in the ''Ancrene Riwle'', in Barnhart;^(Barnhart 1988) about 1200 in Etymonline.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ To obtain or remove by digging is from the late 14th century, and figuratively to discover by search from the early 15th century.^(Etymonline) To thrust or force something in is by 1885.^(Etymonline) The past participle was originally digged; dug, on the analogy of stuck, arose in the 16th century.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Hoad 1986) In 19th-century American student slang dig meant to study hard (1827), and in African-American English of the 1930s to understand or appreciate (1934–36).^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) The noun, a tool for digging, is from the late 17th century; a poke, as with an elbow, from 1819, a sarcastic remark from 1840, and an archaeological excavation from 1896.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) Lodgings, ''digs'', are from ''diggings'' (1914 for the verb).^(OED 1989)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * before 1200 – to dig.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 16th century – the past participle dug.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1819 – a poke.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1840 – a sarcastic remark.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1896 – an archaeological dig.^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)

+ * 1934 – to understand, appreciate.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Verb===

+ # To break up and move earth with a tool, hands or claws.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To make a hole or tunnel by digging.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To search for or discover: ''dig up the facts''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # To poke or push into: ''dug his elbow into my ribs''.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''(dated slang)'' To like or understand.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ===Noun===

+ # An archaeological [[excavation]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A poke or push.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # A cutting or critical remark.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # ''digs'' (British, informal): lodgings.^(Collins 2023)

+

+ ==Word family==

+ * [[redig]]

+ * [[underdig]]

+ * [[dig in]]

+ * [[dig out]]

+ * [[dig up]]

+

+ ==Related words==

+ * [[digger]]

+ * [[ditch]]

+ * [[dike]]

+ * [[dug]]

+ * [[delve]]

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}