Main Entry: gnaw

Pronunciation: \ˈnȯ\

Function: verb

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

Date: before 12th century

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, corrodeintransitive 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