Excavate

Podcast 1 · Introduction

Excavate

A documentary-style narration: origin, meaning, and feel.

Part of speech

verb

Pronunciation

EKS-kuh-vayt  /ˈɛkskəveɪt/

Definition

To make a hole or channel by digging; to carefully remove earth to expose and extract buried objects; also used figuratively to uncover hidden truths or memories.

Plain meaning

To dig something out — whether it's soil from an archaeological site or a buried truth from the past.

Register

Neutral to formal. Standard in archaeology, construction, and geological writing. Figurative uses appear in literary and psychological contexts.