Gnawing definition | Dictionary.com

gnaw⋅ing

[naw-ing]

–noun

1.	the act of a person or thing that gnaws.

2.	Usually, gnawings. persistent, dull pains; pangs: the gnawings of hunger.

Origin:
1300–50; ME; see gnaw, -ing ¹

Related forms:

gnaw⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

[naw]

verb, gnawed, gnawed or gnawn, gnaw⋅ing.

–verb (used with object)

1.	to bite or chew on, esp. persistently.

2.	to wear away or remove by persistent biting or nibbling.

3.	to form or make by so doing: to gnaw a hole through the wall.

4.	to waste or wear away; corrode; erode.

5.	to trouble or torment by constant annoyance, worry, etc.; vex; plague.

–verb (used without object)

6.	to bite or chew persistently: The spaniel gnawed happily on a bone.

7.	to cause corrosion: The acid gnaws at the metal.

8.	to cause an effect resembling corrosion: Her mistake gnawed at her conscience.

Origin:
bef. 1000; ME gnawen, OE gnagen; c. G nagen, ON gnāga

Related forms:

gnaw⋅a⋅ble, adjective

gnawer, noun

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
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Link To Gnawing

gnaw (nô)

v. gnawed, gnaw·ing, gnaws

v. tr.

1. To bite, chew on, or erode with the teeth.
2. To produce by gnawing: gnaw a hole. See Synonyms at bite.
3. To erode or diminish gradually as if by gnawing: waves gnawing the rocky shore.
To afflict or worry persistently: fear that constantly gnawed me.

v. intr.

[Middle English gnauen, from Old English gnagan.]
gnaw'er n.

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