51Թ

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View synonyms for

gnaw

[naw]

verb (used with object)

gnawed, gnawed, gnawn, gnawing. 
  1. to bite or chew on, especially persistently.

  2. to wear away or remove by persistent biting or nibbling.

  3. to form or make by so doing.

    to gnaw a hole through the wall.

  4. to waste or wear away; corrode; erode.

  5. to trouble or torment by constant annoyance, worry, etc.; vex; plague.



verb (used without object)

gnawed, gnawed, gnawn, gnawing. 
  1. to bite or chew persistently.

    The spaniel gnawed happily on a bone.

  2. to cause corrosion.

    The acid gnaws at the metal.

  3. to cause an effect resembling corrosion.

    Her mistake gnawed at her conscience.

gnaw

/ ɔː /

verb

  1. to bite (at) or chew (upon) constantly so as to wear away little by little

  2. (tr) to form by gnawing

    to gnaw a hole

  3. to cause erosion of (something)

  4. to cause constant distress or anxiety (to)

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

noun

  1. the act or an instance of gnawing

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other 51Թ Forms

  • gnawable adjective
  • gnawer noun
  • outgnaw verb (used with object)
  • undergnaw verb (used with object)
  • ungnawed adjective
  • ˈԲɱ noun
  • ˈԲɾԲ adjective
  • ˈԲɾԲly adverb
  • ˈԲɲ adjective
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of gnaw1

before 1000; Middle English gnawen, Old English gnagen; cognate with German nagen, Old Norse
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51Թ History and Origins

Origin of gnaw1

Old English gnagan; related to Old Norse gnaga, Old High German gnagan
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

Every run that Australia managed to eke out for their final wicket would have gnawed away at Bavuma who was, if we are being hypercritical, guilty of a slight captaincy misstep.

From

One of the boys expresses mild envy about other people’s footwear before his father makes them sprint into a field to cut open a bull, pull out its organs and gnaw on them.

From

Her right leg and left arm had been partially gnawed off.

From

He frustratedly gnawed on a piece of gum as he trotted back to the dugout.

From

Rogers, he would explain, was always gnawing on a wad of gum.

From

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