dig: [13] The origins of dig are not altogether clear. It does not appear to have existed in Old English, although it has been speculated that there was an Old English verb *dīcigian, never recorded, derived from dīc ‘ditch’ (the standard Old English verbs for ‘dig’ were delfan and grafan, whence modern English delve and grave). Another theory is that it was borrowed from Old French diguer ‘make a dyke, hollow out the earth’. This was a derivative of the noun digue ‘dyke’, which itself was borrowed from a Germanic source that also produced Old English dīc (and indeed modern English dyke). => ditch, dyke
dig (v.)
early 14c. (diggen), of uncertain origin, perhaps related to dike and ditch, either via Old French diguer (ultimately from a Germanic source), or directly from an unrecorded Old English word. Native words were deolfan (see delve), grafan (see grave (v.)).
Slang sense of "understand" first recorded 1934 in Black English, probably based on the notion of "excavate." A slightly varied sense of "appreciate" emerged 1939. Strong past participle dug appeared 16c., but is not etymological. Related: Digging.
dig (n.)
late 17c. as "a tool for digging," from dig (v.). Meaning "archaeological expedition" is from 1896. Meaning "thrust or poke" (as with an elbow) is from 1819; figurative sense of this is from 1840.
双语例句
1. Dig a largish hole and bang the stake in first.
挖一个大点儿的洞，先把木桩敲进去。
来自柯林斯例句
2. Dig over any ground that is clear of crops and plants.
把没种庄稼和植物的土地都深翻一遍。
来自柯林斯例句
3. The dentist commenced to dig, drill and finally fill the offending tooth.
牙医开始在那颗有问题的牙齿上挖洞，钻孔，直到最后把它补好。
来自柯林斯例句
4. You would have to dig up the plant yourself.
你得自己把那株植物挖出来。
来自柯林斯例句
5. I grab George'sarm and dig my nails into his flesh.
