释义 |
WordReference Random House Learner's Dictionary of American English © 2024gnaw /nɔ/USA pronunciation v., gnawed, gnawed or gnawn, gnaw•ing. - to bite or chew on, esp. for a long time without stopping: [~ + object]The dog gnawed the bone.[no object]The dog gnawed at the bone.
- to wear away or remove by biting for a long time:[~ + object]The mice gnawed the paint off the walls.
- to form or make by biting or chewing for a long time:[~ + object]to gnaw a hole.
- to trouble;
vex; plague:[~ + at]Her mistake gnawed at her conscience.
WordReference Random House Unabridged Dictionary of American English © 2024gnaw (nô),USA pronunciation v., gnawed, gnawed or gnawn, gnaw•ing. v.t. - to bite or chew on, esp. persistently.
- to wear away or remove by persistent biting or nibbling.
- to form or make by so doing:to gnaw a hole through the wall.
- to waste or wear away;
corrode; erode. - to trouble or torment by constant annoyance, worry, etc.;
vex; plague. v.i. - to bite or chew persistently:The spaniel gnawed happily on a bone.
- to cause corrosion:The acid gnaws at the metal.
- to cause an effect resembling corrosion:Her mistake gnawed at her conscience.
- bef. 1000; Middle English gnawen, Old English gnagen; cognate with German nagen, Old Norse gnāga
gnaw′a•ble, adj. gnaw′er, n. |