GNAW Meaning and
Definition
-
Gnaw is a verb that refers to the act of biting or chewing on something persistently and often with a repetitive motion, especially with the teeth, resulting in the gradual wearing away or eroding of the material. This action is often performed by animals, particularly rodents, to nibble and grind down objects to alleviate discomfort or to obtain nourishment. Gnawing typically involves a combination of biting, grinding, and scraping motions.
When used figuratively, the term "gnaw" describes a persistent feeling or emotion that gradually consumes or preoccupies a person's mind or thoughts. It conveys the idea of a persistent, nagging or wearing feeling that slowly erodes at one's mental state, causing worry, anxiety, or distress.
The word "gnaw" is commonly used to describe rodent behavior, such as a mouse gnawing on wood or a rat gnawing on wires. It can also be used to depict natural processes, like the continued erosion of rocks by water or wind. In a metaphorical sense, "gnaw" can be employed to depict the persistent internal struggle of a person or the slow erosion of confidence or peace of mind.
Overall, the term "gnaw" conveys a sense of persistence, repetition, erosion, and gradual wearing away, whether it refers to the physical act of chewing or the metaphorical consumption of thoughts and emotions.
-
To eat away or bite off by degrees; to bite in agony or rage; to corrode; to fret.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
Top Common Misspellings for GNAW *
* The statistics data for these misspellings percentages are collected from over 15,411,110 spell check sessions on www.spellchecker.net from Jan 2010 - Jun 2012.
Other Common Misspellings for GNAW
Etymology of GNAW
The word "gnaw" comes from the Old English word "gnagan", which is derived from the Proto-Germanic word "gnaganan". This Proto-Germanic word gives rise to related words such as "knagen" in Middle Dutch and "knagen" in Middle Low German. Ultimately, the origin of this word can be traced back to the Proto-Indo-European root "gen", meaning "to gnaw" or "to bring forth". The word has retained its basic meaning throughout its history, referring to the action of biting or wearing away gradually with the teeth.
Idioms with the word GNAW
-
gnaw on sth
The idiom "gnaw on sth" means to think or worry about something persistently and anxiously, as if one is constantly chewing on it. It refers to a mental or emotional preoccupation with a subject or problem, often causing unease or distress.
-
gnaw (away) at sm
The idiom "gnaw (away) at someone" means to persistently and repeatedly cause feelings of worry, anxiety, or distress in someone's mind or emotions. It refers to a situation or problem that continually preoccupies someone, causing them mental or emotional discomfort over time.
-
gnaw (away) at sm or sth
The idiom "gnaw (away) at someone or something" refers to a persistent and relentless feeling, worry, or problem that preoccupies and consumes a person's mind or emotions. It implies that something is causing constant distress, anxiety, or irritation, similar to how a physical gnawing sensation on something slowly wears it down.
-
gnaw away
The idiom "gnaw away" means to persistently or gradually wear down or consume something, usually through continuous effort or worry over a period of time. It can refer to physical erosion, such as gnawing away at a piece of wood, or metaphorical erosion, like worry or guilt gnawing away at a person's mind.
-
gnaw (at) (someone's) vitals
The idiom "gnaw (at) (someone's) vitals" is a figurative expression that refers to a constant and deeply affecting feeling of worry, anxiety, or distress. It suggests a persistent mental or emotional torment that gradually wears away at a person's innermost core, like something gradually gnawing on their vital organs.
-
gnaw (away) at someone
To "gnaw (away) at someone" is an idiom that refers to a persistent feeling of worry, guilt, or anxiety that consumes a person's thoughts and emotions over time. It implies that something is troubling or bothering someone continuously, causing mental distress or unease. The idiom draws a parallel between the relentless nibbling or chewing action of a rodent (gnawing) and the incessant dwelling on a particular issue or concern in a person's mind.
-
gnaw (away) at someone or something
The idiom "gnaw (away) at someone or something" means to persistently cause worry, anxiety, or discomfort over a period of time. It refers to a situation or problem that preoccupies someone's thoughts and consumes their mental or emotional energy, causing them distress or unease. It can also denote a persistent feeling of guilt or regret that lingers and continues to affect someone.
-
gnaw on something
The idiom "gnaw on something" means to continuously think about or ponder on a particular issue, problem, or concern, often in a persistent and anxious manner, without finding a solution or reaching a conclusion. It refers to the mental process of dwelling on a matter, similar to how an animal gnaws or chews on something relentlessly.
-
gnaw at
The idiom "gnaw at" means to cause persistent worry, anxiety, or distress over a long period of time. It refers to a feeling of uneasiness or concern that continually bothers someone, similar to the action of a small animal constantly biting or chewing on something.
-
gnaw on
The idiom "gnaw on" means to continually think about or consider something, often in a persistent or obsessive manner. It suggests a mental or emotional preoccupation with a particular topic or problem.
Similar spelling words for GNAW
Conjugate verb Gnaw
CONDITIONAL PERFECT
I
would have gnawed
you
would have gnawed
he/she/it
would have gnawed
we
would have gnawed
they
would have gnawed
CONDITIONAL PERFECT PROGRESSIVE
I
would have been gnawing
you
would have been gnawing
he/she/it
would have been gnawing
we
would have been gnawing
they
would have been gnawing
CONDITIONAL PRESENT
I
would gnaw
you
would gnaw
he/she/it
would gnaw
we
would gnaw
they
would gnaw
CONDITIONAL PRESENT PROGRESSIVE
I
would be gnawing
you
would be gnawing
he/she/it
would be gnawing
we
would be gnawing
they
would be gnawing
FUTURE
I
will gnaw
you
will gnaw
he/she/it
will gnaw
we
will gnaw
they
will gnaw
FUTURE CONTINUOUS
I
will be gnawing
you
will be gnawing
he/she/it
will be gnawing
we
will be gnawing
they
will be gnawing
FUTURE PERFECT
I
will have gnawed
you
will have gnawed
he/she/it
will have gnawed
we
will have gnawed
they
will have gnawed
FUTURE PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
will have been gnawing
you
will have been gnawing
he/she/it
will have been gnawing
we
will have been gnawing
they
will have been gnawing
IMPERATIVE
we
Let´s gnaw
PAST CONTINUOUS
I
was gnawing
you
were gnawing
he/she/it
was gnawing
we
were gnawing
they
were gnawing
PAST PARTICIPLE
gnawed; gnawn
PAST PERFECT
I
had gnawed
you
had gnawed
he/she/it
had gnawed
we
had gnawed
they
had gnawed
PAST PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
had been gnawing
you
had been gnawing
he/she/it
had been gnawing
we
had been gnawing
they
had been gnawing
PRESENT
I
gnaw
you
gnaw
he/she/it
gnaws
we
gnaw
they
gnaw
PRESENT CONTINUOUS
I
am gnawing
you
are gnawing
he/she/it
is gnawing
we
are gnawing
they
are gnawing
PRESENT PARTICIPLE
gnawing
PRESENT PERFECT
I
have gnawed
you
have gnawed
he/she/it
has gnawed
we
have gnawed
they
have gnawed
PRESENT PERFECT CONTINUOUS
I
have been gnawing
you
have been gnawing
he/she/it
has been gnawing
we
have been gnawing
they
have been gnawing
PRESENT SUBJUNCTIVE
he/she/it
gnaw
SIMPLE PAST
I
gnawed
you
gnawed
he/she/it
gnawed
we
gnawed
they
gnawed
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
