— gnawable , adj. — gnawer , n.
/naw/ , v. , gnawed, gnawed or gnawn, gnawing .
v.t.
1. to bite or chew on, esp. persistently.
2. to wear away or remove by persistent biting or nibbling.
3. to form or make by so doing: to gnaw a hole through the wall.
4. to waste or wear away; corrode; erode.
5. to trouble or torment by constant annoyance, worry, etc.; vex; plague.
v.i.
6. to bite or chew persistently: The spaniel gnawed happily on a bone.
7. to cause corrosion: The acid gnaws at the metal.
8. to cause an effect resembling corrosion: Her mistake gnawed at her conscience.
[ bef. 1000; ME gnawen, OE gnagen; c. G nagen, ON gnaga ]