I. ˈchü verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English chewen, from Old English cēowan to chew, gnaw, eat; akin to Old High German kiuwan to chew, Old Norse tyggva to chew, Old Slavic žĭvati
transitive verb
1.
a. : to crush or grind (as food) in the mouth by continued action of the teeth with the help of the tongue and other masticatory organs usually in preparation for swallowing : masticate
b. : to injure, destroy, or consume as if by chewing
logs chewed up for paper
a weather- chewed white flag — Ivan Innerst
2. : to utter indistinctly : mumble
3. slang : upbraid , reprimand
not going to chew him just because he cuts out now and then — J.G.Cozzens
intransitive verb
: to chew something ; specifically : to chew tobacco
•
- chew the rag
- chew the scenery
II. noun
( -s )
1. : the act of chewing
2.
a. : something that is chewed : a portion (as of tobacco) suitable for chewing : quid , cud
b. : a piece of chewy candy
a molasses chew