delve

delve (dɛlv)

—vb
1.	to inquire or research deeply or intensively (for information, etc): he delved in the Bible for quotations
2.	to search or rummage (in a drawer, the pockets, etc)
3.	(esp of an animal) to dig or burrow deeply (into the ground, etc)
4.	archaic, dialect or (also tr) to dig or turn up (earth, a garden, etc), as with a spade

[Old English delfan; related to Old High German telban to dig, Russian dolbit to hollow out with a chisel]

'delver

—n

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 10th Edition
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Etymonline

Word Origin & History

delve

O.E. delfan "to dig" (class III strong verb; past tense dealf, pp. dolfen), common W.Gmc. verb with cognates in Slavic. Weak inflections emerged 14c.-16c.

Example sentences

Nevertheless, the best tales delve deep into human nature, illuminating its

darkest impulses and noblest inclinations.

Geologists delve into their prehistoric records.

Authors who have sought to delve into its history are routinely refused

publication.

We delve in to the data within the industry and compare the trends and changing

strategies.

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Matching Quote

"O if we but knew what we do
When we delve or hew—
Hack and rack the growing green!
Since country is so tender
To touch, her being so slender,
That, like this sleek and seeing ball
But a prick will make no eye at all,
Where we, even where we mean
To mend her we end her,
When we hew or delve:
After-comers cannot guess the beauty been."

-Gerard Manley Hopkins