Delve (?) v. t. [imp. & p. p. Delved (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Delving.] [AS. delfan to dig; akin to OS. bidelban to bury, D. delven to dig, MHG. telben, and possibly to E. dale. Cf. Delf a mine.]

1.

To dig; to open (the ground) as with a spade.

Delve of convenient depth your thrashing floo Dryden.

2.

To dig into; to penetrate; to trace out; to fathom.

I can not delve him to the root. Shak.

 

© Webster 1913.


Delve, v. i.

To dig or labor with a spade, or as with a spade; to labor as a drudge.

Delve may I not: I shame to beg. Wyclif (Luke xvi. 3).

 

© Webster 1913.


Delve, n. [See Delve, v. t., and cf. Delf a mine.]

A place dug; a pit; a ditch; a den; a cave.

Which to that shady delve him brought at last

penser.

The very tigers from their delves Look out. Moore.

 

© Webster 1913.