EXCAVATION

mining, excavation

(noun) the act of extracting ores or coal etc from the earth

excavation, digging, dig

(noun) the act of digging; “there’s an interesting excavation going on near Princeton”

excavation

(noun) a hole in the ground made by excavating

dig, excavation, archeological site

(noun) the site of an archeological exploration; “they set up camp next to the dig”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Noun

excavation (countable and uncountable, plural excavations)

(uncountable) The act of excavating, or of making hollow, by cutting, scooping, or digging out a part of a solid mass.

(countable) A cavity formed by cutting, digging, or scooping.

(countable) An uncovered cutting in the earth, in distinction from a covered cutting or tunnel.

(countable) The material dug out in making a channel or cavity.

(uncountable) Archaeological research that unearths buildings, tombs and objects of historical value.

(countable) A site where an archaeological exploration is being carried out.

Source: Wiktionary

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Ex`ca*va"tion, n. Etym: [L. excavatio: cf. F. excavation.]

1. The act of excavating, or of making hollow, by cutting, scooping, or digging out a part of a solid mass.

2. A cavity formed by cutting, digging, or scooping. "A winding excavation." Glover.

3. (Engin.) (a) An uncovered cutting in the earth, in distinction from a covered cutting or tunnel. (b) The material dug out in making a channel or cavity. The delivery of the excavations at a distance of 250 feet. E. L. Corthell.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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