gnash

[ nash ]
See synonyms for gnash on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with object)
  1. to grind or strike (the teeth) together, especially in rage or pain.

  2. to bite with grinding teeth.

verb (used without object)
  1. to gnash the teeth.

noun
  1. an act of gnashing.

Origin of gnash

1
1490–1500; variant of obsolete gnast,Middle English gnasten; compare Old Norse gnastan gnashing of teeth

Other words from gnash

  • gnash·ing·ly, adverb

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2024

How to use gnash in a sentence

  • It seemed exceedingly savage and ferocious, continually gnashing its teeth; fretting with rage and furiously restless.

    Buffon's Natural History. Volume IX (of 10) | Georges Louis Leclerc de Buffon
  • He gave a yell like a wounded tiger, and stood at bay gnashing his teeth with rage and despair.

  • "All is not finished between us," said the count, gnashing his teeth, but putting aside his weapon.

    The Guide of the Desert | Gustave Aimard
  • The sword of judgment will find them in their merry-making and will change all into weeping and gnashing of teeth.

    The Prophet Ezekiel | Arno C. Gaebelein

British Dictionary definitions for gnash

gnash

/ (næʃ) /


verb
  1. to grind (the teeth) together, as in pain or anger

  2. (tr) to bite or chew as by grinding the teeth

noun
  1. the act of gnashing the teeth

Origin of gnash

1
C15: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse gnastan gnashing of teeth, gnesta to clatter

Derived forms of gnash

  • gnashingly, adverb

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012