gnash

Definition

To grind (one's teeth) in pain or in anger.

Etymology

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”).

Example Sentences

• "gnashing your teeth"
• "to gnash the air in fury"
• "The dog was gnashing a carpet"