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masticate definition

mas·ti·cate (mas′ti kāt′)

transitive verb masticated -·cat′ed, masticating -·cat′·ing

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

Etymology: < 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:

Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

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