Main Entry:

¹chew

Pronunciation:

\ˈchü\

Function:

verb

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English cēowan; akin to Old High German kiuwan to chew, Russian zhevat'

Date:

before 12th century

transitive verb1: to crush, grind, or gnaw (as food) with or as if with the teeth : masticate2: to injure, destroy, or consume as if by chewing —usually used with up<chewing up profits>intransitive verb: to chew something ; specifically : to chew tobacco

— chew·able \-ə-bəl\ adjective

— chew·er noun

— chewy \ˈchü-ē\ adjective

— chew on

: to think about : ponder <chewing on the new developments>

— chew the fat also chew the rag

: to make friendly familiar conversation : chat