I. ˈchamp, -aa(ə)-, -ai- verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: perhaps imitative
transitive verb
1.
a. : to chew on with noisy vigor
champing his food with the gusto of a healthy young animal — MacLean's Magazine
b. : to bite on repeatedly or grind the teeth forcefully against
champing the stem of his pipe in his teeth — Marcia Davenport
2. : to open and close with force and noise : gnash
a green crab … champing enormous claws — I.L.Idriess
3. : mash , trample
champing soil and water into mud
intransitive verb
1. : to make biting or gnashing movements or gestures : bite
a race horse champing behind a barrier — Upton Sinclair
little caterpillars … champing on leaves — Peggy Bennett
2. : to show restive impatience of delay or restraint
for years industrial phychologists had been champing to apply scientific methods — W.H.Whyte
•
- champ at the bit
II. noun
( -s )
: the act or action of champing
III. adjective
( -er/-est )
Etymology: origin unknown
dialect England : firm , hard
IV. noun
( -s )
Etymology: by shortening
: champion
V. noun
( -s )
Etymology: by shortening
: champac