Gnaw
/nɔː/noun
To bite or chew something repeatedly, often slowly wearing it away.
Did you know?Gnaw is a true old Germanic word, with cousins in several Indo-European languages that all circle back to the idea of biting or chewing—proof that some of the oldest words in English are basically primal body-language.
Etymological Timeline
Proto-Indo-European
PIE
*gneh₃-
“To rub, gnaw, or wear down by friction”
Proto-Germanic
PGmc
*gnēaną
“To gnaw, bite, or rub”
Old English
OE
gnagan
“To gnaw, bite, or nibble”
Middle English
Middle English
gnawen
“To chew or bite persistently”
Modern English
English
gnaw
“To bite or chew something repeatedly, often slowly wearing it away”