Main Entry: mas·ti·cate

Pronunciation: \ˈmas-tə-ˌkāt\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): mas·ti·cat·ed; mas·ti·cat·ing

Etymology: Late Latin masticatus, past participle of masticare, from Greek mastichan to gnash the teeth; akin to Greek masasthai to chew — more at mandible

Date: 1562

transitive verb 1 : to grind or crush (food) with or as if with the teeth : chew
2 : to soften or reduce to pulp by crushing or kneadingintransitive verb : chew

— mas·ti·ca·tion \ˌmas-tə-ˈkā-shən\ noun

— mas·ti·ca·tor \ˈmas-tə-ˌkā-tər\ noun