də̇ˈvau̇(ə)r, dēˈ-, -au̇ə, chiefly S -au̇wə(r transitive verb
( -ed/-ing/-s )
Etymology: Middle English devouren, from Middle French devourer, from Latin devorare, from de down, away + vorare to eat greedily, swallow up — more at de- , voracious
1. : to eat up with greediness : consume ravenously : feast upon like a wild beast or a glutton
devoured everything on his plate
2. : to seize upon and destroy or appropriate greedily, selfishly, or wantonly : swallow up : use up : consume , engulf , waste , annihilate
devoured by fire
the raging water devoured the riverbank
3. : to prey upon : absorb — usually used passively
a man devoured by remorse
4. : to enjoy with avidity ; often : to take in eagerly by the senses or mind
devouring the book
devoured that graceful figure as though engraving it permanently on his mind
Synonyms: see eat