gnawed

1 definition found

gnawed - Collaborative International Dictionary of English v.0.48 :

  Gnaw \Gnaw\ (n[add]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. Gnawed (n[add]d); p.
     pr. & vb. n. Gnawing.] [OE. gnawen, AS. gnagan; akin to D.
     knagen, OHG. gnagan, nagan, G. nagen, Icel. & Sw. gnaga, Dan.
     gnave, nage. Cf. Nag to tease.]
     1. To bite, as something hard or tough, which is not readily
        separated or crushed; to bite off little by little, with
        effort; to wear or eat away by scraping or continuous
        biting with the teeth; to nibble at.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              His bones clean picked; his very bones they gnaw.
                                                    --Dryden.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     2. To bite in agony or rage.
        [1913 Webster]
  
              They gnawed their tongues for pain.   --Rev. xvi.
                                                    10.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     3. To corrode; to fret away; to waste.
        [1913 Webster]
  
     4. To trouble in a constant manner; to plague; to worry; to
        vex; -- usually used with at; as, his mounting debts
        gnawed at him.
        [PJC]