Definitions for: Delve


[v] turn up, loosen, or remove earth; "Dig we must"; "turn over the soil for aeration"



Webster (1913) Definition: Delvev. t. [imp. & p. p. Delved; p. pr. & vb. n.
Delving.] [AS. delfan to dig; akin to OS. bidelban to bury,
D. delven to dig, MHG. telben, and possibly to E. dale. Cf.
Delf a mine.]
1. To dig; to open (the ground) as with a spade.

Delve of convenient depth your thrashing floor.
--Dryden.

2. To dig into; to penetrate; to trace out; to fathom.

I can not delve him to the root. --Shak.


Delve, v. i.
To dig or labor with a spade, or as with a spade; to labor as
a drudge.

Delve may I not: I shame to beg. --Wyclif (Luke
xvi. 3).


Delve, n. [See Delve, v. t., and cf. Delf a mine.]
A place dug; a pit; a ditch; a den; a cave.

Which to that shady delve him brought at last.
--Spenser.

The very tigers from their delves Look out. --Moore.

Synonyms: cut into, dig, turn over

See Also: burrow, dig in, dig out, dig up, excavate, furrow, groove, pitch in, remove, root, rootle, rout, rut, shovel, spade, take, take away, trowel, tunnel, turn up, withdraw

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