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masticate

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The definition of masticate is to chew, or to grind something up.

(verb)

An example of masticate is to chew up a gummy bear.
An example of masticate is to grind up paper into a pulp.

See masticate in Webster's New World College Dictionary

to chew up (food, etc.)
to grind, cut, or knead (rubber, etc.) to a pulp

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:

mastication noun
masticator noun

See masticate in American Heritage Dictionary 4

verb mas·ti·cat·ed, mas·ti·cat·ing, mas·ti·cates

verb, transitive

To chew (food).
To grind and knead (rubber, for example) into a pulp.

verb, intransitive

To chew food.

Origin:

Origin: Late Latin masticāre, masticāt-, to masticate

Origin: , from Greek mastikhān, to grind the teeth

Related Forms:

masˌti·caˈtion noun

masˈti·caˌtor noun

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