dredging
|dredg-ing|
/ˈdrɛdʒɪŋ/
(dredge)
drag up from bottom
Etymology
'dredge' originates from Middle English, specifically the word 'dredgen' (or variants), where the root meant 'to draw up or fish up from the bottom.'
'dredge' changed from Middle English 'dredgen' and is related to Middle Dutch 'dreggen' (to fish up) and ultimately ties to older Germanic roots (compare Old English/Old High German roots meaning 'to draw, drag'), eventually becoming modern English 'dredge.'
Initially, it meant 'to draw or drag up (from the water),' and over time it became specialized to mean 'to remove sediment from a body of water' and, figuratively, 'to bring up (something buried or forgotten).'
Meanings by Part of Speech
Noun 1
the process or activity of removing sediment, silt, or debris from the bottom of a sea, river, or other body of water.
Dredging of the river improved navigation for cargo barges.
Synonyms
Noun 2
figurative: the act of bringing something hidden or unpleasant up into view (often used with 'up' as in 'dredging up').
Her constant dredging of old mistakes made the team uncomfortable.
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Verb 1
present participle or gerund form of 'dredge' (to remove material from the bottom of a body of water or to bring something up from the bottom).
They are dredging the harbor to allow larger ships to enter.
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Idioms
Last updated: 2025/10/22 23:38