Definition

1. Verb:
   • To dig or excavate: To turn up, loosen, or remove earth or soil, often in a careful or searching manner.
   • To research or investigate deeply: To make a careful, detailed, or thorough search for information; to examine a subject in great depth.

Examples of Usage

• Verb (Literal - to dig):

  • The archaeologist used a small trowel to delve into the ancient soil.
  • They had to delve a deep trench for the foundation.

• Verb (Figurative - to research):

  • The historian delved into the archives to find the original letters.
  • Her new book delves into the complex causes of the war.

Advanced Usage

• "to delve deeply into something": To investigate or examine a subject with great thoroughness.

  • The documentary delves deeply into the artist's troubled early life.

• "to delve for information": To search intensively for specific facts or data.

  • Reporters delved for information about the company's finances.

Variants and Related Words

• Delver (n): A person who delves, especially a researcher or investigator.
  • She is a keen delver into medieval history.

Synonyms

• Excavate: To dig out and remove earth.
• Probe: To physically or figuratively explore or examine something thoroughly.
• Investigate: To carry out a systematic or formal inquiry.
• Explore: To inquire into or discuss in detail.

Related Phrasal Verbs

• Delve into: This is the standard and most common construction for the verb.
  • He encouraged his students to delve into the primary sources.
  • The therapist helped her delve into her childhood memories.

Related Idioms

• To delve into the past: To carefully research or reminisce about historical events or personal history.
  • The memoir delves into the past to explain the author's motivations.

Verb

1. turn up, loosen, or remove earth
   • Dig we must
   • turn over the soil for aeration