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).

Pronunciation edit

  • IPA(key): /næʃ/
  • (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