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delve

 - 3 dictionary results

delve

  [delv] verb, delved, delv⋅ing.
Use delve in a Sentence
–verb (used without object)
1. to carry on intensive and thorough research for data, information, or the like; investigate: to delve into the issue of prison reform.
2. Archaic. to dig, as with a spade.
–verb (used with object)
3. Archaic. to dig; excavate.
Origin:
bef. 900; ME delven, OE delfan; c. D delven, OHG telban

Related forms:
delver, noun

Synonyms:
1. research, inquire, probe, examine, explore.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To delve
delve   (dělv)   
v.   delved, delv·ing, delves

v.   intr.

  1. To search deeply and laboriously: delved into the court records.

  2. To dig the ground, as with a spade.

v.   tr.
Archaic To dig (ground) with a spade.

[Middle English delven, to dig, from Old English delfan.]
delv'er n.
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

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.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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