gnaw

gnaw

verb \ˈnȯ\

Definition of GNAW

transitive verb

1

a : to bite or chew on with the teeth; especially : to wear away by persistent biting or nibbling <a dog gnawing a bone>

b : to make by gnawing <rats gnawed a hole>

2

a : to be a source of vexation to : plague <anxiety always gnawing him>

b : to affect like gnawing <hunger gnawing her vitals>

3

: erode, corrode

intransitive verb

1

: to bite or nibble persistently <gnawing at his underlip>

2

: to produce an effect of or as if of gnawing <waves gnawing away at the cliffs>

— gnaw·er \ˈnȯ(-ə)r\ noun

Examples of GNAW

1. The dog was gnawing a bone.
2. He nervously gnawed on his fingernails.
3. Rabbits have gnawed at the hedge.
4. Rabbits had gnawed a hole in the hedge.

Origin of GNAW

Middle English gnawen, from Old English gnagan; akin to Old High German gnagan to gnaw

First Known Use: before 12th century

Related to GNAW

Synonyms

bite (at), corrode, erode, fret, eat, nibble

Related Words

break down, break up, decompose, disintegrate, dissolve; decimate, destroy, devastate, ruin, waste, wreck

Near Antonyms

freshen, recreate, refresh, refreshen, regenerate, rejuvenate, renew, restore, revitalize, revive

Rhymes with GNAW

aw, awe, blaw, braw, ca, caw, chaw, claw, craw, daw, draw, flaw, haw, jaw, la, law, maw, pa, paw, pshaw, Ra, rah, raw, saw, shah, shaw, slaw, spa, squaw, straw, tau, taw, thaw, yaw