digest

[ verb dih-jest, dahy-; noun dahy-jest ]

/ verb dɪˈdʒɛst, daɪ-; noun ˈdaɪ dʒɛst /

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR digest ON THESAURUS.COM

verb (used with object)

to convert (food) in the alimentary canal into absorbable form for assimilation into the system.

to promote the digestion of (food).

to obtain information, ideas, or principles from; assimilate mentally: to digest a pamphlet on nuclear waste.

to arrange methodically in the mind; think over: to digest a plan.

to bear with patience; endure.

to arrange in convenient or methodical order; reduce to a system; classify.

to condense, abridge, or summarize.

Chemistry. to soften or disintegrate (a substance) by means of moisture, heat, chemical action, or the like.

verb (used without object)

to digest food.

to undergo digestion, as food.

noun

a collection or compendium, usually of literary, historical, legal, or scientific matter, especially when classified or condensed.

Law.

a systematic abstract of some body of law.
the Digest, a collection in fifty books of excerpts, especially from the writings of the Classical Roman jurists, compiled by order of Justinian in the 6th century a.d.; the Pandects.

Biochemistry. the product of the action of an enzyme on food or other organic material.

Nearby words

digby, sir kenelm, digenea, digenesis, digenetic, digerati, digest, digestant, digester, digestible, digestif, digestion

Origin of digest

1350–1400; (v.) Middle English digesten < Latin dīgestus separated, dissolved (past participle of dīgerere), equivalent to dī- di-² + ges- carry, bear (base of gerere) + -tus past participle suffix; (noun) Middle English: collection of laws < Late Latin dīgesta (plural), Latin: collection of writings, neuter plural of dīgestus, as above

SYNONYMS FOR digest

4 understand; study, ponder.

6 systematize, codify.

11 epitome, abridgment. See summary.

SEE MORE SYNONYMS FOR digest ON THESAURUS.COM

Related forms

di·gest·ed·ly, adverbdi·gest·ed·ness, nounhalf-di·gest·ed, adjectivenon·di·gest·ing, adjective

o·ver·di·gest, verbre·di·gest, verb (used with object)sem·i·di·gest·ed, adjectiveun·di·gest·ed, adjectiveun·di·gest·ing, adjectivewell-di·gest·ed, adjective

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019

Examples from the Web for digest

Warfighting, its authors freely admitted, was essentially On War in digest form.
How Clausewitz Invented Modern War|James A. Warren|November 24, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Before you invoke images of a nation enjoying more indolence than industry, there is an uncomfortable statistic to digest.
Obama’s Extravagant Summer Break? More Like, America’s Vacation-Deficit Disorder|Clive Irving|August 10, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Food intolerance occurs when your body is unable to digest a certain component of a food, such as the protein called gluten.
10 Reasons You’re Exhausted and What to Do About It|DailyBurn|April 25, 2014|DAILY BEAST
Foods, wines are categorized as “digest” or “pas digest,” as in easy or difficult to digest.
Yes, Women Can Make Great Wine|Jordan Salcito|March 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST

The French have an adjective that the English language lacks—“digest.”
Yes, Women Can Make Great Wine|Jordan Salcito|March 22, 2014|DAILY BEAST
These are two precisely contrary statements for him to digest at his leisure, before he can understand how the earth moves.
On the Old Road Vol. 1 (of 2)|John Ruskin
The farmer or the fisherman can digest, even thrive upon, food which would be deadly for a woman working in a factory.
Euthenics, the science of controllable environment|Ellen H. Richards
Indeed, a most useful code might be formed from a digest of borough enactments.
Nineteen Centuries of Drink in England|Richard Valpy French
The king then invited him to sup with us, and I am sure that during the whole repast I was the hardest morsel he had to digest.
Memoirs of the Comtesse du Barry|Etienne Leon Lamothe-Langon
We treat law as a fine art, and relish and digest a good distinction.
The Works of Robert Louis Stevenson - Swanston Edition|Robert Louis Stevenson

British Dictionary definitions for digest (1 of 2)

digest

verb (dɪˈdʒɛst, daɪ-)

to subject (food) to a process of digestion

(tr) to assimilate mentally

chem to soften or disintegrate or be softened or disintegrated by the action of heat, moisture, or chemicals; decompose

(tr) to arrange in a methodical or systematic order; classify

(tr) to reduce to a summary

(tr) archaic to tolerate

noun (ˈdaɪdʒɛst)

a comprehensive and systematic compilation of information or material, often condensed

a magazine, periodical, etc, that summarizes news of current events

a compilation of rules of law based on decided cases

Word Origin for digest

C14: from Late Latin dīgesta writings grouped under various heads, from Latin dīgerere to divide, from di- apart + gerere to bear

British Dictionary definitions for digest (2 of 2)

Digest

/ (ˈdaɪdʒɛst) /

noun

Roman law an arrangement of excerpts from the writings and opinions of eminent lawyers, contained in 50 books compiled by order of Justinian in the sixth century ad

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for digest (1 of 2)

digest

"collection of writing," late 14c., from Latin digesta, from neuter plural of digestus, literally "digested thing," noun use of past participle of digerere "to separate, divide, arrange," from dis- "apart" (see dis-) + gerere "to carry" (see gest).

Word Origin and History for digest (1 of 2)

digest

"assimilate food in bowels," late 14c., from Latin digestus (see digest (n.)). Related: Digested; digesting.

Medicine definitions for digest

digest

[ dī-jĕst′, dĭ- ]

v.

To convert food into simpler chemical compounds that can be absorbed and assimilated by the body, as by chemical and muscular action in the alimentary canal.

To soften or disintegrate by means of chemical action, heat, or moisture.

Related formsdi•gest′i•bil′i•ty n.di•gest′i•ble adj.

digest

verb (used with object)

verb (used without object)

noun

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Nearby words

Origin of digest

Examples from the Web for digest

British Dictionary definitions for digest (1 of 2)

digest

verb (dɪˈdʒɛst, daɪ-)

noun (ˈdaɪdʒɛst)

Word Origin for digest

British Dictionary definitions for digest (2 of 2)

Digest

noun

Word Origin and History for digest (1 of 2)

digest

Word Origin and History for digest (1 of 2)

digest

Medicine definitions for digest

digest

v.