Etymology From Middle English digesten, from Latin dīgestus, past participle of dīgerō (“carry apart”), from dī- (for dis- (“apart”)) + gerō (“to carry”), influenced by Middle French digestion. Partly displaced native Old English meltan (intransitive) and mieltan (transitive), both “to melt, to digest,” whence Modern English melt.
To distribute or arrange methodically; to work over and classify; to reduce to portions for ready use or application.
to digest laws
joining them together and digesting them into order1783, Hugh Blair, Lectures on Rhetoric and Belles Lettres:
1 more example
We have cause to be glad that matters are so well digested.c. 1606–1607 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedie of Anthonie and Cleopatra”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act II, scene ii]:
2
To separate (the food) in its passage through the alimentary canal into the nutritive and nonnutritive elements; to prepare, by the action of the digestive juices, for conversion into blood; to convert into chyme.
In the morning giue them [horses] barley or prouender, a little at a time in diſtinct or ſeueral portions, tvvice or thrice one after another, ſo as he may chevv and eke diſgeſt it thoroughly, othervviſe if he rauen it, as he vvil do hauing much at a time, he rendreth it in his dung vvhole and not diſgeſted.1607, Conradus Gesnerus [i.e., Conrad Gessner]; Edward Topsell, “Of Handling, Taming, or Breaking of Horsses”, in The Historie of Foure-footed Beastes. […], London: […] William Iaggard, →OCLC, page 303:
3
To think over and arrange methodically in the mind; to reduce to a plan or method; to receive in the mind and consider carefully; to get an understanding of; to comprehend.
Feelingly digest the words you speak in prayer.1566, Henry Sidney, letter to Philip Sidney:
How shall this bosom multiplied digest / The senate's courtesy?c. 1608–1609 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The Tragedy of Coriolanus”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and Ed[ward] Blount, published 1623, →OCLC, [Act III, scene i]:
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Grant that we may in such wise hear them [the Scriptures], read, mark, learn, and inwardly digest them.1549 March 7, Thomas Cranmer [et al.], compilers, The Booke of the Common Prayer and Administration of the Sacramentes, […], London: […] Edowardi Whitchurche […], →OCLC:
4
To bear comfortably or patiently; to be reconciled to; to brook.
I never can digest the loss of most of Origen's works.1834, Samuel Taylor Coleridge, Table Talk - Toleration-Norwegians:
5
Chemistry, Natural sciences, Physical sciences To expose to a gentle heat in a boiler or matrass, as a preparation for chemical operations.
6
To undergo digestion.
I just ate an omelette and I'm waiting for it to digest.
I was at the Mathematical School, where the Maſter taught his Pupils after a Method ſcarce imaginable to us in Europe. The Propoſition and Demonſtration were fairly written on a thin Wafer, with Ink compoſed of a Cephalick Tincture. This the Student was to ſwallow upon a faſting Stomach, and for three days following eat nothing but Bread and Water. As the Wafer digeſted, the Tincture mounted to his Brain, bearing the Propoſition along with it.1726 October 28, [Jonathan Swift], “The Author Permitted to See the Grand Academy of Lagado. […]”, in Travels into Several Remote Nations of the World. […] [Gulliver’s Travels], volume II, London: […] Benj[amin] Motte, […], →OCLC, part III (A Voyage to Laputa, Balnibarbi, Glubbdubdribb, Luggnagg, and Japan), page 78:
Medicine, SciencesObsolete To suppurate; to generate pus, as an ulcer.
The Lips of the Abſceſs digeſted vvell, but from vvithin it onely gleeted, and thruſt out Fat, vvhich vve daily cut off vvithout the loſs of a drop of blood, and dreſſed up the Abſceſs vvith mundif. ex apio, continuing the uſe of diſcutient Fomentations and Cataplaſins.1676, Richard Wiseman, “The First Book. A Treatise of Tumours. Chapter XVIII. Of an Oedema.”, in Severall Chirurgicall Treatises, London: […] E. Flesher and J. Macock, for R[ichard] Royston […], and B[enjamin] Took, […], →OCLC, page 89:
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Medicine, SciencesObsolete To cause to suppurate, or generate pus, as an ulcer or wound.
Etymology From Latin dīgesta, neuter plural of dīgestus, past participle of dīgerō (“separate”).
1
That which is digested; especially, that which is worked over, classified, and arranged under proper heads or titles.
By also relating the tales included in the anthology to various facts of that development, he leaves no doubt that this volume constitutes a veritable digest of the remarkable strides made by the genre in recent years.1986 December 21, Donald Stone, “Gay Male Fiction Comes of Age in Anthology”, in Gay Community News, volume 14, number 23, page 8:
2
A compilation of statutes or decisions analytically arranged; a summary of laws.
Comyn's Digest
the United States Digest
3
Any collection of articles, as an Internet mailing list including a week's postings, or a magazine arranging a collection of writings.
Reader's Digest is published monthly.
The weekly email digest contains all the messages exchanged during the past week.