| 释义 |
mas·ti·cate
\ˈmastəˌkāt, -aas-, -ais-, usu -ād.+V\ verb
(-ed/-ing/-s)
Etymology: Late Latin masticatus, past participle of masticare, from Greek mastichan to gnash the teeth; akin to Greek masasthai to chew — more at mouth
transitive verb
1. : to grind or crush (as food) with or as if with the teeth and prepare for swallowing and digestion : chew
2.
a. : to reduce to pulp by crushing or kneading
b. : to work (rubber) on a machine so as to make it softer and more plastic before mixing with compounding ingredients : break down
intransitive verb
: to make the motions involved in masticating food : chew |