gnash
[ nash ]
/ næʃ /
verb (used with object)
to grind or strike (the teeth) together, especially in rage or pain.
to bite with grinding teeth.
verb (used without object)
to gnash the teeth.
noun
an act of gnashing.
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Nearby words
gnamma hole, gnar, gnarl, gnarled, gnarly, gnash, gnash one's teeth, gnashers, gnat, gnat-catcher, gnatcatcher
Origin of gnash
1490–1500; variant of obsolete gnast, Middle English gnasten; compare Old Norse gnastan gnashing of teeth
Related formsgnash·ing·ly, adverb
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Examples from the Web for gnash
British Dictionary definitions for gnash
gnash
/ (næʃ) /
verb
to grind (the teeth) together, as in pain or anger
(tr) to bite or chew as by grinding the teeth
noun
the act of gnashing the teeth
Derived Formsgnashingly, adverb
Word Origin for gnash
C15: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse gnastan gnashing of teeth, gnesta to clatter
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Word Origin and History for gnash
gnash
early 15c., variant of Middle English gnasten "to gnash the teeth" (c.1300), perhaps from Old Norse gnastan "a gnashing," of unknown origin, probably imitative. Cf. German knistern "to crackle." Related: Gnashed; gnashing.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper