Dictionary
Thesaurus
Reference
Translate
Web
Gnawing - 3 dictionary results

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


gnaw⋅ing⋅ly, adverb

gnaw

[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


gnaw⋅a⋅ble, adjective
gnawer, noun
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.
  1. To afflict or worry persistently: fear that constantly gnawed me.
v.   intr.
  1. To bite or chew persistently: The dog gnawed at the bone.
  2. To cause erosion or gradual diminishment.
  3. To cause persistent worry or pain: Hunger gnawed at the prisoners.

[Middle English gnauen, from Old English gnagan.]
gnaw'er n.
Search another word or see Gnawing on Thesaurus | Reference