Verb

To dig the ground, especially with a shovel.

* 1381 , John Ball

When Adam dalf and Eve span, / Who was then a gentleman?

* Dryden

Delve of convenient depth your thrashing floor.

*

I got a spade from the tool-house, and began to delve with all my might - it scraped the coffin; I fell to work with my hands; the wood commenced cracking about the screws; I was on the point of attaining my object, when it seemed that I heard a sigh from some one above, close at the edge of the grave, and bending down.

(ambitransitive) To search thoroughly and carefully for information, research, dig into, penetrate, fathom, trace out

* 1609-11 , Shakespeare, Cymbeline, King of Britain

I cannot delve him to the root.

* 1943 , Emile C. Tepperman, Calling Justice, Inc.!

She was intensely eager to delve into the mystery of Mr. Joplin and his brief case.

(ambitransitive) To dig, to excavate.

* ca. 1260 , Jacobus de Voragine, The Golden Legend

And then they made an oratory behind the altar, and would have dolven for to have laid the body in that oratory ...

* 1891 , , The White Company , chapter IV

Let him take off his plates and delve' himself, if ' delving must be done.

Verb

To encounter or discover by accident; to happen upon.

* Shakespeare

Searching the window for a flint, I found / This paper, thus sealed up.

* Cowley

In woods and forests thou art found .

To encounter or discover something being searched for; to locate.

*

, title=(The Celebrity), chapter=2 , passage=I had occasion […] to make a somewhat long business trip to Chicago, and on my return […] I found Farrar awaiting me in the railway station. He smiled his wonted fraction by way of greeting, […], and finally leading me to his buggy, turned and drove out of town.}}

* , chapter=10

, title= The Mirror and the Lamp , passage=It was a joy to snatch some brief respite, and find himself in the rectory drawing–room. Listening here was as pleasant as talking; just to watch was pleasant.}}

* {{quote-news, year=2011, date=January 25, author=Paul Fletcher, work=BBC

, title= Arsenal 3-0 Ipswich (agg. 3-1) , passage=Van Persie scored a hat-trick against Wigan on Saturday and should have found' the net again after Bendtner ' found him at the far post but the Dutchman's header rebounded to safety off the crossbar.}}

* {{quote-magazine, date=2013-07-20, volume=408, issue=8845, magazine=(The Economist)

, title= Welcome to the plastisphere , passage=Plastics are energy-rich substances, which is why many of them burn so readily. Any organism that could unlock and use that energy would do well in the Anthropocene. Terrestrial bacteria and fungi which can manage this trick are already familiar to experts in the field. Dr Mincer and Dr Amaral-Zettler found evidence of them on their marine plastic, too.}}

To point out.

To decide that, to discover that, to form the opinion that.

* Shakespeare

I find you passing gentle.

* Cowley

The torrid zone is now found habitable.

* {{quote-book, year=1922, author=(Ben Travers), title=(A Cuckoo in the Nest)

, chapter=1 citation , passage=“[…] the awfully hearty sort of Christmas cards that people do send to other people that they don't know at all well. You know. The kind that have mottoes

To determine or judge.

To arrive at, as a conclusion; to determine as true; to establish.

to find''' a verdict; to '''find a true bill (of indictment) against an accused person

* Shakespeare

to find his title with some shows of truth

To discover by study or experiment direct to an object or end.

Water is found to be a compound substance.

To gain, as the object of desire or effort.

to find''' leisure; to '''find means

To attain to; to arrive at; to acquire.

Looks like he found himself a new vehicle!

After a long flight, I now find myself in San Francisco.

(archaic) To provide for; to supply; to furnish.

to find food for workmen

He finds his nephew in money.

* London Times

Wages £14 and all found .

* Charles Dickens

Nothing a day and find yourself.