verb
delve
dehlv
verb
1
To search thoroughly into something, especially information or a topic, in order to learn more.
"The documentary delves into the history of the civil rights movement."
"She delved through old letters looking for clues."
2
To dig into the ground.
"The archaeologists delved into the hillside in search of artefacts."
How to Use Delve
Learner’s notesIn plain EnglishTo dig deep into something, literally or in the sense of research and investigation.
Common pairings
delve into the details
delve deeper
delve into history
Word Forms
delved past tense, dolve past tense, dolven past tense, delves plural, Delves plural, delves singular
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Etymology
From Old English delfan ("to dig"), from Proto-Germanic *delbaną — the same root gave Dutch delven and Low German dölven.