masticate

American  

[mas-ti-keyt] / ˈmæs tɪˌkeɪt /

verb (used with or without object)

masticated, masticating

1. to chew.

2. to reduce to a pulp by crushing or kneading, as rubber.

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masticate British  

/ ˈmæstɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to chew (food)

2. to reduce (materials such as rubber) to a pulp by crushing, grinding, or kneading

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Usage

What does masticate mean? Masticate is a technical word meaning to chew. The word masticate is almost always used in a scientific or technical context. In the everyday context of eating, people usually just say chew. The noun form of masticate is mastication, which refers to the act of chewing. Less commonly, masticate means to reduce to a pulp by crushing or kneading, as is done in the rubber-making process. Example: When we masticate, saliva is released from glands under the tongue to aid in the process of chewing and swallowing.

Other Word Forms

• half-masticated
  adjective
• masticable
  adjective
• mastication
  noun
• masticator
  noun
• remasticate
  verb
• unmasticated
  adjective

Etymology

Origin of masticate

First recorded in 1640–50; from Late Latin masticātus, past participle of masticāre “to chew”; see mastic, -ate ¹

Explanation

To masticate is to chew your food or to bite and grind stuff with your teeth. While humans use their teeth, primarily molars, to masticate their food, some animals have evolved other ways to do this. Some masticate by crushing food between hard plates on the top and bottom of their mouths, and others masticate by using a spiny tongue to break down their food.

Example Sentences

Masticate thoroughly and take them with either butter or milk, or both.

From Maintaining Health Formerly Health and Efficiency by Alsaker, R. L.

Masticate every mouthful of food thoroughly, and practice deep breathing assiduously, it is an important aid to digestion.

From The Royal Road to Health by Tyrrell, Charles Alfred

Thoroughly Masticate Everything As to harmful combinations; there are not many, and if your food is thoroughly masticated you need not concern yourself very much about them.

From Diet and Health With Key to the Calories by Peters, Lulu Hunt

Masticate the food till it is reduced to a liquid, in this state the quantity required will be wonderfully reduced and the work of the stomach lessened.

From Papers on Health by Kirk, Edward Bruce

Fourth: Masticate every morsel with such thoroughness that it is automatically swallowed.

From Diet and Health With Key to the Calories by Peters, Lulu Hunt