masticate

[mas-ti-keyt]

verb (used with or without object)

masticated, masticating 

1. to chew.

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

masticate

/ ˈmæstɪˌkeɪt /

verb

1. to chew (food)

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

Other Word Forms

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of masticate¹

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of masticate¹

C17: from Late Latin masticāre, from Greek mastikhan to grind the teeth

Example Sentences

We hear cracking bones, see a pile of entrails, watch Sue suture Elisabeth’s back, and get an uncomfortable close-up of Harvey frenetically masticating beady-eyed shrimp.

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But the Republicans masticated the issue endlessly Monday nonetheless.

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“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.”

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

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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.

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When To Use

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.