gnaw

Everyday

1. To gnaw means to bite or chew something again and again, especially something hard, like a dog with a bone or a mouse with wood. tree →
2. If a worry or a feeling gnaws at you, it keeps bothering you for a long time. tree →

In the lessons

In science lessons, rodents (rats, mice, beavers, squirrels) gnaw because their front teeth never stop growing; gnawing wears them down. Beavers gnaw through trees to build dams. In stories, «a gnawing hunger» or «doubt gnawed at her» shows a feeling that will not go away. Phrases: «gnaw on a bone», «gnaw through», «gnaw at someone», «gnawing hunger».

Examples

• The dog gnawed on a bone under the table. tree →
• Mice gnawed through the bag of rice. tree →
• Beavers gnaw trees down to build dams. tree →
• A rabbit needs things to gnaw so its teeth don't grow too long. tree →
• Guilt gnawed at Sam after he broke the window. tree →
• He felt a gnawing hunger on the long walk. tree →
• Don't gnaw your pencil! tree →
• The witch returned and began gnawing the oak again. tree →

Note

Silent g: say «naw» (rhymes with «saw»). Regular verb: gnawed. Other words with silent g: gnome, gnat, gnu, sign. Trap: «gnaw» is not «knaw» or «nor».

In Jewish tradition

To chew or bite again and again. Job uses it for starving outcasts who chew dry ground.

Interpretation. The tradition reads the picture as showing how low the poor are brought, and Job's complaint is about those who were once mocked.

Examples

• They are gaunt with want and famine; they gnaw the dry ground, in the gloom of wasteness and desolation. (Writings JOB.30.3, JPS 1917) tree →

Note

Silent g: say «naw» (rhymes with «saw»). Regular verb: gnawed. Other words with silent g: gnome, gnat, gnu, sign. Trap: «gnaw» is not «knaw» or «nor».