masticate Meaning, Definition & Usage

  1. verb grind and knead
    • masticate rubber
  2. verb chew (food); to bite and grind with the teeth
    chew; manducate; jaw.
    • He jawed his bubble gum
    • Chew your food and don't swallow it!
    • The cows were masticating the grass

WordNet

Mas"ti*cate transitive verb
Etymology
L. masticatus, p. p. of masticare to chew, prob. fr. mastiche mastic. See Mastic.
Wordforms
imperfect & past participle Masticated ; present participle & verbal noun Masticating
Definitions
  1. To grind or crush with, or as with, the teeth and prepare for swallowing and digestion; to chew; as, to masticate food.

Webster 1913