grub
UK: ɡrʌb | US: ɡrʌb
n. 1. the larva of an insect, especially a beetle
n. 2. (informal) food
vt. 1. to dig or root around in the ground
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The word "grub" originated in Middle English as "grubben," meaning "to dig." It likely stems from Old English or Germanic roots, reflecting the action of digging or rooting, which later extended to describe insect larvae (due to their burrowing habits) and colloquially to food (perhaps from the idea of "digging up" sustenance). Its compact structure and broad semantic evolution classify it as a non-splittable residue word.
The garden was infested with grubs eating the plant roots.
(Slang) "Let’s grab some grub at the diner."
The pig grubbed around in the mud for truffles.
After the rain, beetles laid eggs that hatched into tiny grubs.
He spent the afternoon grubbing for old coins in the field.