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Browse the Medical Dictionary:: A; B; C; D; E; F; G; H; I; J; K; L; M; N; O; P; Q; R; S; T; U; V; W; X; Y; Z; #

masticate

Main Entry:: mas·ti·cate
Pronunciation:: \ˈmas-tə-ˌkāt\
Function:: verb
Inflected Form(s):: mas·ti·cat·ed; mas·ti·cat·ing

transitive verb 1 : to grind, crush, and chew (food) with or as if with the teeth in preparation for swallowing 2 : to soften or reduce to pulp by crushing or kneading intransitive verb : to make the motions involved in masticating food

— mas·ti·ca·tion \ˌmas-tə-ˈkā-shən\

Listen to the pronunciation of mastication

noun

Learn more about "masticate" and related topics at Britannica.com

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