gnaw has definitions from the field of food
1
[ verb ] (food) bite or chew on with the teeth

Examples

"gnaw an old cracker" "chewed on a cookie"

Used in print

(Clayton C. Barbeau, The Ikon....)

Clumps of brush that they passed were so many enchained demons straining in anger to tear and gnaw on his bones .

(W. H. Gass, "The Pedersen Kid," in The...)

Pa had his head up , glaring , his teeth gnawing at the place where he 'd grown a mustache once .

Related terms

bite chew

2
[ verb ] become ground down or deteriorate

Examples

"Her confidence eroded"

Used in print

(Francis Pollini, Night....)

A gnawing and gnashing within him .

Related terms

decay erosion

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