gnash

From Wiktionary, the free dictionary
Jump to navigation Jump to search

English

[edit]

Etymology

[edit]

From Middle English gnasten. Origin unknown; the word is probably either Germanic or onomatopoeic. Compare Old Norse gnastan, Danish gnaske ("munch", "crunch"), German knirschen, German Low German gnirschen, gnörschen (gnash), Swedish gnissla (squeak; gnash).

Pronunciation

[edit]
  • IPA(key): /ˈnæʃ/
  • Audio (US):(file)
  • Rhymes: -æʃ

Verb

[edit]

gnash (third-person singular simple present gnashes, present participle gnashing, simple past and past participle gnashed)

  1. (transitive) To grind (one's teeth) in pain or in anger.
    gnashing your teeth
  2. (transitive) To grind between the teeth.
    to gnash the air in fury
    The dog was gnashing a carpet
  3. (figurative) To clash together violently.
  4. (Geordie) To run away.

Derived terms

[edit]

Translations

[edit]

Noun

[edit]

gnash (plural gnashes)

  1. A sudden snapping of the teeth.

Anagrams

[edit]