grub Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. noun informal terms for a meal
    eats; chuck; chow.
  2. noun a soft thick wormlike larva of certain beetles and other insects
  3. verb ask for and get free; be a parasite
    sponge; cadge; bum; mooch.
  4. verb search about busily

WordNet

Grub intransitive verb
Etymology
OE. grubbin., cf. E. grab, grope.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Grubbed present participle & verbal noun Grubbing
Definitions
  1. To dig in or under the ground, generally for an object that is difficult to reach or extricate; to be occupied in digging.
  2. To drudge; to do menial work. Richardson.
Grub transitive verb
Definitions
  1. To dig; to dig up by the roots; to root out by digging; -- followed by up; as, to grub up trees, rushes, or sedge.
    They do not attempt to grub up the root of sin. Hare.
  2. To supply with food. Slang Dickens.
Grub noun
Definitions
  1. (Zoöl.) The larva of an insect, especially of a beetle; -- called also grubworm. See Illust. of Goldsmith beetle, under Goldsmith.
    Yet your butterfly was a grub. Shak.
  2. A short, thick man; a dwarf. Obs. Carew.
  3. Victuals; food. Slang Halliwell.
    I 'd sooner ballads write, and grubstreet lays. Gap.

Webster 1913