v.
Pronunciation: ' no ̇
Function: verb
Etymology: Middle English gnawen, from Old English gnagan; akin to Old High German gnagan to gnaw
Date: before 12th century
transitive verb
1 a : to bite or chew on with the teeth especially : to wear away by persistent biting or nibbling <a dog gnaw ing a bone> b : to make by gnawing <rats gnaw ed a hole>
2 a : to be a source of vexation to : PLAGUE <anxiety always gnaw ing him> b : to affect like gnawing <hunger gnaw ing her vitals>
3 : ERODE , CORRODE
intransitive verb
1 : to bite or nibble persistently < gnaw ing at his underlip>
2 : to produce an effect of or as if of gnawing <waves gnaw ing away at the cliffs>
– gnaw · er \ ' no ̇ (- ə )r \ noun