n.

1. the site of an archeological exploration;
   excavation, archeological site
   
   • they set up camp next to the dig
2. an aggressive remark directed at a person like a missile and intended to have a telling effect;
   shot, shaft, slam, barb, jibe, gibe
   
   • his parting shot was `drop dead'
   • she threw shafts of sarcasm
   • she takes a dig at me every chance she gets
3. a small gouge (as in the cover of a book)
   
   • the book was in good condition except for a dig in the back cover
4. the act of digging;
   excavation, digging
   
   • there's an interesting excavation going on near Princeton
5. the act of touching someone suddenly with your finger or elbow;
   jab
   
   • she gave me a sharp dig in the ribs

v.

1. turn up, loosen, or remove earth;
   delve, cut into, turn over
   
   • Dig we must
   • turn over the soil for aeration
2. create by digging;
   dig out
   
   • dig a hole
   • dig out a channel
3. work hard;
   labor, labour, toil, fag, travail, grind, drudge, moil
   
   • She was digging away at her math homework
   • Lexicographers drudge all day long
4. remove the inner part or the core of;
   excavate, hollow
   
   • the mining company wants to excavate the hillside
5. poke or thrust abruptly;
   jab, prod, stab, poke
   
   • he jabbed his finger into her ribs
6. get the meaning of something;
   grok, get the picture, comprehend, savvy, grasp, compass, apprehend
   
   • Do you comprehend the meaning of this letter?