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”; mastic, -ate ¹

Example Sentences

One would hope that economic commentators coast-to-coast mentioned Green as their “person I’m most thankful for” at their family gatherings that week, because he gave them something to masticate ever since.

From Los Angeles Times

“We’ve been basically clearing the forest of trees that are 8 inches and under, pruning trees up 8 to 10 feet for ladder purposes, and then chipping, masticating or exposing the material that we cut.”

From Seattle Times

You’ll be able to make your mark again, on a clean canvas just waiting for your expression of masticated public “art.”

From Seattle Times

Within the project footprint, crews thinned big trees to prevent fire from leaping from treetop to treetop, and masticated — or ground up — smaller trees and surface vegetation to keep flames closer to the ground.

From Los Angeles Times

The open question is what we are once technology is done masticating all those memories and stories.

From Los Angeles Times