Dig

a. ( imp. and pp. DIGGED, Or DUG.) [A. S. dician, gedician; Swed. and Goth. dika, to dike, bank, mound, to make a ditch or trench. See DIKE and DITCH.] To open and break or turn up, as the earth, with a spade or other sharp instrument, or penetrate with a sharp-pointed or sharp-edged tool or instrument. "You cannot dig up your garden too often." - Temple . -To excavate; to form an opening in the earth by digging and removing the loose soil, .; as, to dig a well, to dig the ground for the foundation of a building. " Digg'd from her entrails first the precious ore." - Dryden. To dig down, to dig from under the foundation of. To dig in , to spread over by digging; as, to dig in compost. To dig from , out , or up , to get at and procure by digging; as, to dig out treasure, to dig up potatoes. ข.n. To delve; to work with a spade, or similar tool instrument; to perform servile labor. "I cannot dig ; to beg I am asham'd." - Luke xvi. 3. ( Mining .) To remove ores from their bed or lode after excavating for them. To dig in or into , to pierce with a spade; act of excavating. To attack with a view to consume or demolish; as, to dig into a good dinner. (Vulgar.) - To dig through, to open a way or pa age to by digging; as, to dig through a layer of rock. -n. A punch or poke with the fist; as, to give a person a dig in the ribs. (Vulgar.) - In the U. States, a slang term for one who reads or studies unweariedly. Dig'amist, n . One who marries a second wife or husband, after the demise of the first. Digam'ma, n. [Gr. dis , and gamma , the double gamma.] ( Gram .) The name of a letter in the early language of Greece. It appears to have had very nearly the sound of the English for v, and was so called from its resemblance to 2 gammas , one placed above the other, thus F. Digam'mate, Digam'mated, a . ( Gram .) Containing the digamma. Dig'amous, a. Pertaining, or relating to a second lawful marriage.