digs in English
- digs⇄digs, noun pl.
See under dig.
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Digs
Part of Speech
Noun (plural), Verb (third person singular present)
Pronunciation
/dɪɡz/
Definitions
1. (noun) A place or excavation where something is dug, such as an archaeological site or a hole in the ground.
2. (noun, informal) A remark or action intended to criticize or insult someone.
3. (verb) To dig, or to search carefully for something (e.g., "He digs for gold.")
Usage Examples
- The archaeologists found ancient artifacts at the dig site.
- She made a clever dig at his fashion choices during the conversation.
- The team digs through layers of earth to find fossils.
Etymology
The word "digs" comes from the verb "dig," which is of Old English origin, derived from the Proto-Germanic *digan. The noun form as a slang term meaning "insult" developed in the 20th century, possibly influenced by the phrase "dig at someone."
Synonyms
- Excavation
- Hole
- Pit
- Insult
- Jibe
Antonyms
- Fill
- Cover
- Compliment
- Praise
Translations
| Language | Translation | Pronunciation |
|---|---|---|
| Spanish | Excavación | /ekskaβaˈθjon/ |
| French | Fouilles | /fuj/ |
| German | Ausgrabung | /ˈaʊsɡʁaːbʊŋ/ |
| Italian | Scavo | /ˈskavo/ |
| Portuguese | Escavação | /is.kɐ.ˈvɐ.sɐ̃w̃/ |
| Chinese (Mandarin) | 挖掘 | /wā jué/ |
| Japanese | 発掘 | /hakkutsu/ |
| Russian | Раскопки | /rɐˈskopkʲɪ/ |
| Arabic | حفريات | /ḥafriyāt/ |
| Hindi | खुदाई | /kʰudɑːiː/ |
| Bengali | খোঁড়া | /kʰɔɾa/ |
| Punjabi | ਖੁਦਾਈ | /kʰudɑːiː/ |
| Gujarati | ખોદકામ | /kʰoːd̪kaːm/ |
| Marathi | खुदाई | /kʰudaiː/ |
| Odia | ଖୋଦିବା | /kʰodibaː/ |
| Tamil | தோண்டுதல் | /tʰoːɳɖutal/ |
| Telugu | తవ్వకం | /t̪avːakam/ |
| Kannada | ತೇವಲು | /t̪evɯɫu/ |
| Malayalam | തവിട്ടൽ | /t̪əviʈʈəl/ |
| Assamese | খনন | /kʰɔnɔn/ |
| Sanskrit | खोदन | /kʰodana/ |
Regional Pronunciation Variations
In some English dialects, "digs" can be pronounced with a shorter vowel sound, while in others, the 'i' may be elongated. Additionally, in informal American speech, "digs" often refers to "homes" or "apartments" (e.g., "I’m going back to my digs").
Historical Usage
Originally, "digs" referred specifically to the act of digging or the site where digging took place. Over time, the term expanded to colloquially describe excavation sites and, more recently, has taken on meanings associated with casual remarks or digs at someone’s character.
Cultural Nuances
In various cultures, "digs" as a term for excavation is strongly associated with archaeology and the study of ancient civilizations. The slang usage, referring to criticisms, is particularly common in casual American English, where "making a dig" can imply a sarcastic or witty comment.
More Information
The word "digs" is versatile, often used in various contexts. Whether referring to an archaeological site, a living space, or a subtle criticism, understanding the context is essential for accurate interpretation. The slang usage is particularly popular in modern speech, reflecting the ever-changing nature of language and the influence of cultural trends.