(~s, ~ing, ~ed)
1.
If people or animals ~ something or ~ at it, they bite it repeatedly.
Woodlice attack living plants and ~ at the stems...
Melanie ~ed a long, painted fingernail.
= chew
VERB: V at/on n, V n
2.
If a feeling or thought ~s at you, it causes you to keep worrying. (WRITTEN)
Doubts were already ~ing away at the back of his mind...
Mary Ann’s exhilaration gave way to ~ing fear.
= nag
VERB: V at n, V-ing