gnash

English
WOTD – 18 March 2007

Etymology

From Middle English gnasten. Origin unknown; the word is probably either Germanic or onomatopoeic. Compare Old Norse gnastan, German knirschen, German Low German gnirschen, gnörschen (“gnash”).

Pronunciation
  • IPA(key): /næʃ/
  • Audio (US)(file)
  • Rhymes: -æʃ

Verb

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.
    to gnash the teeth
  2. (transitive) To grind between the teeth.
    to gnash the air in fury
    to gnash a carpet
  3. (Geordie) To run away.

Derived terms

Translations

Noun

gnash (plural gnashes)

  1. A sudden snapping of the teeth.

Anagrams
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