digest

[ verb dih-jest, dahy-; noun dahy-jest ]
See synonyms for: digestdigested on Thesaurus.com

verb (used with object)
  1. to convert (food) in the alimentary canal into absorbable form for assimilation into the system.

  2. to promote the digestion of (food).

  1. to obtain information, ideas, or principles from; assimilate mentally: to digest a pamphlet on nuclear waste.

  2. to arrange methodically in the mind; think over: to digest a plan.

  3. to bear with patience; endure.

  4. to arrange in convenient or methodical order; reduce to a system; classify.

  5. to condense, abridge, or summarize.

  6. Chemistry. to soften or disintegrate (a substance) by means of moisture, heat, chemical action, or the like.

verb (used without object)
  1. to digest food.

  2. to undergo digestion, as food.

noun
  1. a collection or compendium, usually of literary, historical, legal, or scientific matter, especially when classified or condensed.

  2. Law.

    • a systematic abstract of some body of law.

    • the Digest, a collection in fifty books of excerpts, especially from the writings of the Classical Roman jurists, compiled by order of Justinian in the 6th century a.d.; the Pandects.

  1. Biochemistry. the product of the action of an enzyme on food or other organic material.

Origin of digest

1
First recorded in 1350–1400; (verb) Middle English digesten, from Latin dīgestus “separated, dissolved” (past participle of dīgerere), equivalent to dī-di-2 + ges- “carry, bear” (base of gerere) + -tus past participle suffix; (noun) Middle English: “collection of laws,” from Late Latin dīgesta (plural), Latin: “collection of writings,” neuter plural of dīgestus, as above

synonym study For digest

11. See summary.

Other words for digest

Other words from digest

  • di·gest·ed·ly, adverb
  • di·gest·ed·ness, noun
  • half-di·gest·ed, adjective
  • non·di·gest·ing, adjective
  • o·ver·di·gest, verb
  • re·di·gest, verb (used with object)
  • sem·i·di·gest·ed, adjective
  • un·di·gest·ed, adjective
  • un·di·gest·ing, adjective
  • well-di·gest·ed, adjective

Words Nearby digest

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use digest in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for digest (1 of 2)

digest

verb(dɪˈdʒɛst, daɪ-)
  1. to subject (food) to a process of digestion

  2. (tr) to assimilate mentally

  1. chem to soften or disintegrate or be softened or disintegrated by the action of heat, moisture, or chemicals; decompose

  2. (tr) to arrange in a methodical or systematic order; classify

  3. (tr) to reduce to a summary

  4. (tr) archaic to tolerate

noun(ˈdaɪdʒɛst)
  1. a comprehensive and systematic compilation of information or material, often condensed

  2. a magazine, periodical, etc, that summarizes news of current events

  1. a compilation of rules of law based on decided cases

Origin of digest

1
C14: from Late Latin dīgesta writings grouped under various heads, from Latin dīgerere to divide, from di- apart + gerere to bear

British Dictionary definitions for Digest (2 of 2)

Digest

/ (ˈdaɪdʒɛst) /


noun
  1. Roman law an arrangement of excerpts from the writings and opinions of eminent lawyers, contained in 50 books compiled by order of Justinian in the sixth century ad

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