dredge
dredge (drej)
noun
- a device consisting of a net attached to a frame, dragged along the bottom of a river, bay, etc. to gather shellfish, marine plant specimens, etc.
- an apparatus for scooping or sucking up mud, sand, rocks, etc., as in deepening or clearing channels, harbors, etc.
- a barge or other boat equipped with a dredge
Etymology: prob. < MDu dregge, akin to drag
transitive verb dredged, dredging dredg′·ing
- to search for or gather (up) with or as with a dredge
- to enlarge or clean out (a river channel, harbor, etc.) with a dredge
intransitive verb
- to use a dredge
- to search as with a dredge
Related Forms:
- dredger dredg′er noun
dredge (drej)
transitive verb dredged, dredging dredg′·ing
- to coat (food) with flour or the like, as by sprinkling
- to sprinkle (flour, etc.)
Etymology: < ME dragge, sweetmeat < OFr dragie < ML dragium, earlier dragetum < L tragemata < Gr tragēmata, pl. of tragēma, dried fruit, dessert < trōgein, to gnaw < IE *trog- < base *ter-, to rub: see throw
Related Forms:
- dredger dredg′er noun
Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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