A narrow trench or channel dug in the ground, often for drainage; also used as a verb meaning to abandon or get rid of something.
From Old English 'dic,' related to Dutch 'dijk' and Old Saxon 'dik,' from Proto-Germanic. The word originally described any dug channel and evolved to include its modern figurative meaning.
The Dutch word 'dijk' (dike) comes from the same root as 'ditch'—both describe dug waterways! The Dutch became famous for their amazing water management systems, and their language shaped how English-speaking people described drainage.
Complete word intelligence in one call. Free tier — 50 lookups/day.