A.razing to the ground, destruction, S.OC1318, Th. 5.63; “τειχῶν” Lys.13.8; “ἀκροπόλεως” SIG285.9 (Erythrae, iv B.C.): more freq. in pl., Ἰλίου κ. E.Hel.196 (lyr.); “ἰὼ κ. δόμων” A.Ch.50 (lyr.); “πόλει κατασκαφὰς θέντες” Id.Th.46; πύργων κ. E.Ph.1196; “τειχῶν” Aeschin.3.157.
II. that which is dug, esp. grave, in pl., “θάπτειν . . γῆς . . κατασκαφαῖς” A.Th.1013, cf. 1042; “ἐς θανόντων . . κατασκαφάς” S.Ant.920.