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gnaw
[naw]
verb (used with object)
to bite or chew on, especially persistently.
to wear away or remove by persistent biting or nibbling.
to form or make by so doing.
to gnaw a hole through the wall.
to waste or wear away; corrode; erode.
to trouble or torment by constant annoyance, worry, etc.; vex; plague.
verb (used without object)
to bite or chew persistently.
The spaniel gnawed happily on a bone.
to cause corrosion.
The acid gnaws at the metal.
to cause an effect resembling corrosion.
Her mistake gnawed at her conscience.
gnaw
/ nɔː /
verb
to bite (at) or chew (upon) constantly so as to wear away little by little
(tr) to form by gnawing
to gnaw a hole
to cause erosion of (something)
to cause constant distress or anxiety (to)
noun
the act or an instance of gnawing
Other Word Forms
- gnawable adjective
- gnawer noun
- outgnaw verb (used with object)
- undergnaw verb (used with object)
- ungnawed adjective
- gnawing adjective
- gnawingly adverb
Word History and Origins
Origin of gnaw1
Word History and Origins
Origin of gnaw1
Example Sentences
But the worst case scenario, with Reform gnawing at Labour's vote from the right, and the Liberal Democrats and Greens from the left is "disastrous results in the locals", says one No 10 source.
In his latest, Minervini brings viewers into the thick of the Civil War, only to find the same dazed souls and gnawing uncertainties that have always been his focus.
Every run that Australia managed to eke out for their final wicket would have gnawed away at Bavuma who was, if we are being hypercritical, guilty of a slight captaincy misstep.
One of the boys expresses mild envy about other people’s footwear before his father makes them sprint into a field to cut open a bull, pull out its organs and gnaw on them.
Her right leg and left arm had been partially gnawed off.
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