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

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

From Los Angeles Times

“It’s heartwarming, it’s easy to digest,” said Nancy Jennings, a professor at the University of Cincinnati and director of its Children’s Entertainment and Education Research Lab.

From Los Angeles Times

A handful of companies operate most grocery stores and a handful of companies own and operate all of the news you digest.

From Salon

For the winner, an official car to Conservative Party Campaign Headquarters, papers to sign, security briefings to digest and social media videos to film.

From BBC

Having to sit through months of listening to various professionals, who claimed to have assessed Logan as being unfit to stand trial, has been extremely hard to digest.

From BBC