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masticate

[ mas-ti-keyt ]
/ ˈmæs tɪˌkeɪt /
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See synonyms for: masticate / masticated / masticating / mastication on Thesaurus.com
verb (used with or without object), mas·ti·cat·ed, mas·ti·cat·ing.
to chew.
to reduce to a pulp by crushing or kneading, as rubber.
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Origin of masticate

First recorded in 1640–50; from Late Latin masticātus, past participle of masticāre “to chew”; see mastic, -ate1

OTHER WORDS FROM masticate

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023

Words related to masticate

chomp, crunch, crush, gnash, grind, knead

How to use masticate in a sentence

British Dictionary definitions for masticate

masticate
/ (ˈmæstɪˌkeɪt) /
verb
to chew (food)
to reduce (materials such as rubber) to a pulp by crushing, grinding, or kneading

Derived forms of masticate

masticable, adjectivemastication, nounmasticator, noun

Word Origin for masticate

C17: from Late Latin masticāre, from Greek mastikhan to grind the teeth
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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