digest

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

verb (used with object)

1. to convert (food) in the alimentary canal into absorbable form for assimilation into the system.
2. to promote the digestion of (food).
3. to obtain information, ideas, or principles from; assimilate mentally:

   to digest a pamphlet on nuclear waste.

4. to arrange methodically in the mind; think over:

   to digest a plan.

   Synonyms: ponder, study, understand

5. to bear with patience; endure.
6. to arrange in convenient or methodical order; reduce to a system; classify.

   Synonyms: codify, systematize

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

verb (used without object)

1. to digest food.
2. to undergo digestion, as food.

noun

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

   Synonyms: abridgment, epitome

2. Law.
   1. a systematic abstract of some body of law.
   2. 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.
3. Biochemistry. the product of the action of an enzyme on food or other organic material.

digest

¹

verb

1. to subject (food) to a process of digestion
2. tr to assimilate mentally
3. chem to soften or disintegrate or be softened or disintegrated by the action of heat, moisture, or chemicals; decompose
4. tr to arrange in a methodical or systematic order; classify
5. tr to reduce to a summary
6. archaic.
   tr to tolerate

noun

1. a comprehensive and systematic compilation of information or material, often condensed
2. a magazine, periodical, etc, that summarizes news of current events
3. a compilation of rules of law based on decided cases

Digest

²

/ ˈdaɪdʒɛst /

noun

1. 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

Other Words From

• di·gested·ly adverb
• di·gested·ness noun
• half-di·gested adjective
• nondi·gesting adjective
• over·di·gest verb
• redi·gest verb (used with object)
• semi·di·gested adjective
• undi·gested adjective
• undi·gesting adjective
• well-di·gested adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of digest¹

First recorded in 1350–1400; (verb) Middle English digesten, from 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,” from Late Latin dīgesta (plural), Latin: “collection of writings,” neuter plural of dīgestus, as above

Word History and Origins

Origin of digest¹

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

Synonym Study

See summary.

Example Sentences

For example, genes associated with traits that allowed early Europeans to produce vitamin D and digest milk into adulthood showed strong signs of selection, but only in the most recent time periods.

From Science Daily

Probiotics -- bacteria and yeast -- can withstand stomach acid and digesting enzymes, offering a potentially promising strategy for safely transporting protein-based drugs that otherwise would get chewed up.

From Science Daily

Herbert wove a complicated universe with oddball technologies, bizarre competing factions and religions that are easier to digest over the methodical consumption of hundreds of pages.

From Salon

For a strange hour, one could digest Sunday brunch, laugh, cry, reflect, bop along to the music, quietly listen or let it all out in a deafening collective primal scream.

From Los Angeles Times

“Give her some time to digest. This is normal.”

From Los Angeles Times

More About Digest

What does inventory mean?

An inventory is a complete list of all merchandise or stock of items owned by or available from a business.

At a store, an inventory is the complete list of all items for sale at the store. At a manufacturer, an inventory is a complete list of all the raw materials they have, as well as finished items and items being created.

An inventory is also the specific set of products to sell, as in The store’s inventory of superhero capes is running low and will probably sell out soon.

An inventory can also refer to figurative belongings, such as a person’s personality traits and skills.

To inventory means to add things to an inventory list, whether a literal or figurative list, as in I inventoried my options for colleges and chose the school I’ll attend next year.

Example: Can you take inventory tonight so we can be ready for the rush tomorrow?

Where does inventory come from?

The first records of the term inventory come from around the 1300s. It ultimately comes from the Medieval Latin inventōrium.

You’ve probably seen inventory used in computer gaming, where your inventory is the place where you can keep track of the materials you’ve collected while playing the game. Often, the inventory holds items that you use to enhance your performance, build or craft something, or customize your character. The first video game to have an inventory system was “The Oregon Trail” in 1971, which tasked players with traveling from Missouri to Oregon in an 1800s wagon caravan, picking up food, tools, rope, and the like to add to their inventory along the way.

Did you know … ?

What are some other forms related to inventory?

• inventoriable (adjective)
• inventorial (adjective)
• inventorially (adverb)
• overinventoried (adjective)
• preinventory (noun)

What are some synonyms for inventory?

• backlog
• fund
• index
• reserve
• stockpile

What are some words that share a root or word element with inventory? 

• invent
• invention
• inventor

What are some words that often get used in discussing inventory?

• ad
• management
• stock
• visibility

How is inventory used in real life?

Inventory is mostly used in a business context.

Just tried to buy the remaining Holiday Spice inventory from the @starbucks next to my house but there was barely any left… 😭😭😭

— Demi Lovato (@ddlovato) December 30, 2015

Some girl just asked me if I worked at the dollar store because my cart was filled with Christmas stuff like I was doing inventory. 💁

— Nicole Polizzi (@snooki) November 16, 2014

Finally got to see @boburnham's @eighthgrademov. A shame more movies are not like this. Authentic, full of heart, gut-wrenching, hopeful, relatable and very importantly an inventory check on life and life around you. Was both brought back to a time and reminded of these times.

— Sal Vulcano (@SalVulcano) August 23, 2018

 

Try using inventory!

Which of the following is NOT a synonym for inventory?

A. debt
B. supply
C. reserve
D. backlog