I. ˈnash, -aa(ə)-, -ai- verb
( -ed/-ing/-es )
Etymology: alteration of Middle English gnasten, gnaisten, probably of imitative origin
intransitive verb
1. : to grind or strike the teeth together
he gnashed and kept me awake for hours
2. : to grind together — used of the teeth
his teeth gnashed audibly
transitive verb
1. : to strike or grind (the teeth) together especially in anger or pain
2. : to grind the teeth on : bite with grinding teeth
the tiger gnashed the fox, the ermine, and the sloth — W.S.Landor
II. noun
( -es )
: gnashing, bite
the gnash and clash of cutlery on china — James Jones