The definition of masticate is to chew, or to grind something up.
(verb)See masticate in Webster's New World College Dictionary
transitive verb masticated, masticating
Origin: < LL masticatus, pp. of masticare, to chew < Gr mastichan, to grind the teeth, gnash < mastax, a mouth, morsel < IE base *menth-, to chew, mouth > mouth, L mandere, to chew
Related Forms:
See masticate in American Heritage Dictionary 4
verb mas·ti·cat·ed, mas·ti·cat·ing, mas·ti·cates verb, transitive
Origin:
Origin: Late Latin masticāre, masticāt-, to masticate
Origin: , from Greek mastikhān, to grind the teeth
.Related Forms:
Learn more about masticate