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EXCAVATE

 - 4 dictionary results
Excavating
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ex⋅ca⋅vate

  [eks-kuh-veyt]
Use EXCAVATE in a Sentence
–verb (used with object), -vat⋅ed, -vat⋅ing.
1. to make hollow by removing the inner part; make a hole or cavity in; form into a hollow, as by digging: The ground was excavated for a foundation.
2. to make (a hole, tunnel, etc.) by removing material.
3. to dig or scoop out (earth, sand, etc.).
4. to expose or lay bare by or as if by digging; unearth: to excavate an ancient city.
Origin:
1590–1600; < L excavātus (ptp. of excavāre to hollow out), equiv. to ex- ex- 1 + cav(um) hollow, cave + -ātus -ate 1
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To EXCAVATE
Excavating
Licensed, Insured, & Background- Checked Excavators. Get Free Bids!
www.ServiceMagic.com
T and M Excavating
Excavation in tight areas All Excavation Needs (732)-904-0472
www.tand-m-contracting.com
ex·ca·vate   (ěk'skə-vāt')   
v.   ex·ca·vat·ed, ex·ca·vat·ing, ex·ca·vates

v.   tr.

  1. To make a hole in; hollow out: excavate an ore-rich hillside.

  2. To form by hollowing out.

  3. To remove by digging or scooping out.

  4. To expose or uncover by or as if by digging: excavate an archaeological site.

v.   intr.
To engage in digging, hollowing out, or removing.

[Latin excavāre, excavāt-, to hollow out : ex-, ex- + cavāre, to hollow (from cavus, hollow; see keuə- in Indo-European roots).]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

excavate 
1599, from L. excavatus, pp. of excavare "to hollow out," from ex- "out" + cavare "to hollow," from cavus "cave."
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: ex·ca·vate
Pronunciation: 'ek-sk&-"vAt
Function: verb
Inflected Forms: -vat·ed; -vat·ing
transitivesenses
: to form a cavity or hole in excavated wisdom tooth> excavate intransitive senses
: to make excavations or become hollowed outexcavate>
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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