grävda

Grävda is the past participle of the Swedish verb gräva, meaning to dig. In Swedish grammar, grävda functions as an adjective and is used in passive constructions to indicate that something has been dug or excavated. The form grävda is commonly used with plural nouns and agrees with the noun it modifies, for example grävda hålor (dug holes) or grävda gropar (dug pits). In singular phrases, other participle forms are used depending on number, gender, and definiteness.

Etymology and use: Grävda derives from gräva, which in turn comes from Old Norse grafa. The participle is widely employed in contexts such as construction, archaeology, geology, and farming to describe features created by digging. It can refer to trenches, wells, drainage channels, or excavated remains.

Contexts and examples: In archaeology and historical writing, grävda fynd (excavated finds) or grävda hålor are common terms describing features uncovered by digging. The term conveys that material or structures are not natural to the surface but have been produced by human or animal digging or digging-related activity. It is used in descriptive passages as well as technical reporting to indicate excavation work.

Notes on usage: Grävda emphasizes the completed action of digging and is typically aligned with plural or feminine nouns; other participle forms may be used for singular neuter or masculine nouns, depending on grammatical context. For precise agreement, refer to standard Swedish grammar guidance.

See also: gräva, grävning, utgrävning, archaeology, excavation.