delve

Use delve in a sentence

verb

To delve is defined as to jump into researching something or to dig around looking for something.

When you jump into researching the question of global warming, this is an example of a situation where you delve into the topic.
When you dig around in your purse to try to find your wallet, this is an example of a situation where you delve into your purse.

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MLA Style

"delve." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/delve>.

APA Style

delve. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/delve

delve

intransitive verb

delved, delv′ing

Chiefly Brit., Now Dial. to dig with a spade
to investigate for information; search (into books, the past, etc.)

Origin of delve

Middle English delven from Old English delfan, to dig, akin to Old High German (bi)telban, to bury, Dutch delven from Indo-European base an unverified form dhelbh-, to dig out from source Czech dlubati, to hollow out

Chiefly Brit., Now Dial. to dig or turn up (ground)

Obs. a den or pit dug out

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Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"delve." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/delve>.

APA Style

delve. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/delve

delve

verb

delved, delv·ing, delves

verb

intransitive

To search deeply and laboriously: delved through the court records.
a. To research or make inquiries into something: scientists delving into gene regulation.
b. To undertake an activity or occupation undeterred by difficulty or uncertainty: delved into writing a blog.
c. To discuss or explain something, especially in detail: The article delves into the problems facing the banking system.
To enter or move into an area in which movement is difficult: The explorers delved into the forest.
To dig the ground, as with a spade.

verb

transitive

Archaic To dig (ground) with a spade.

Origin of delve

Middle English delven to dig from Old English delfan

Related Forms:

delv′er
noun

THE AMERICAN HERITAGE® DICTIONARY OF THE ENGLISH LANGUAGE, FIFTH EDITION by the Editors of the American Heritage Dictionaries. Copyright © 2016, 2011 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.

Link/Cite

Link to this page

Cite this page

MLA Style

"delve." YourDictionary, n.d. Web. 14 January 2019. <https://www.yourdictionary.com/delve>.

APA Style

delve. (n.d.). Retrieved January 14th, 2019, from https://www.yourdictionary.com/delve

Verb

(third-person singular simple present delves, present participle delving, simple past delved or obsolete dalf, past participle delved or obsolete dolven)

(intransitive) To dig the ground, especially with a shovel.
(intransitive) To search thoroughly and carefully for information, research, dig into, penetrate, fathom, trace out
(intransitive) To dig, to excavate.

Related terms

dolven

Noun

(plural delves)

(now rare) A pit or den.

Anagrams

devel

Origin

From Middle English delven, delfan (“to dig, examine, bury, imbed, implant”), from Old English delfan (“to dig, dig out, burrow, bury”), from Proto-Germanic *delbaną, from Proto-Indo-European *dʰelbʰ- (“to dig”). Compare Dutch delven.

English Wiktionary. Available under CC-BY-SA license.