̈ɪɡrʌb n. & v. --n. 1
the larva of an
insect,
esp. of a beetle. 2 colloq.
food. --v. (grubbed, grubbing) 1 tr. & intr.
dig superficially. 2 tr. a
clear (the ground) of roots
and stumps. b clear
away (roots etc.). 3 tr. (foll. by
up, out) a fetch by digging (grubbing up weeds). b
extract (information etc.) by searching in books etc. 4 intr.
search,
rummage. 5 intr. (foll. by
on,
along, away)
toil,
plod. øgrub-screw a
small headless
screw, esp. used to
attach a
handle etc. to a
spindle. øøgrubber n. (also in comb.). [ME, (v.) perh. corresp. to OE grybban (unrecorded) f. Gmc]