chew etymology

Etymology

The word "chew" comes from the Old English word "cēowan," which means "to chew, champ, or bite." It is related to the Old High German word "kauwen" and the Proto-Germanic word "*kauijaną."

Meaning

To chew is to grind or crush food with one's teeth in order to break it down and make it easier to swallow and digest. It can also refer to the act of biting or nibbling on something.

Origin

The earliest known use of the word "chew" in English dates back to the 9th century. It is believed to have evolved from the Indo-European root "*ghew-," which means "to bite." This root is also found in other words related to chewing, such as "gums" and "chew."

Example Sentences

  • Please chew your food thoroughly before swallowing.
  • The baby chewed on her teething ring.
  • The dog chewed on the bone for hours.
  • I'm not hungry, but I could chew on a piece of gum.

chew relate terms

  • chaw

    Etymology Middle English chawen chowen chaw Old English cēowan Proto Germanic ki

  • chew

    Etymology The word chew comes from the Old English word cēowan which means to chew

  • chewable

    Etymology Chewable comes from the Old English word cēowan which means to chew a

  • chew

    Etymology The word chew comes from the Old English word cēowan which means to chew

  • chew

    Etymology The word chew comes from the Old English word cēowan which means to chew

  • jowl

    Etymology The word jowl comes from the Middle English word jole which in turn is der

  • quid

    Etymology The word quid has several possible etymologies Late Latin From quid me

  • plug

    Etymology plug verb from Middle English pluggen pluggon probably from Middle Dutch

  • mandible

    Etymology The word mandible comes from the Latin word mandibula which is derived fr

  • mange

    Etymology The word mange traces its origins to the Old English term manges meaning

  • mastication

    Etymology Derived from the Latin masticare meaning to chew Originally from the Gr

  • manger

    Etymology Late Middle English from Old French mangier from Late Latin manducare to c

  • champ

    Etymology and Origin The word champ has two distinct origins 1 From Old English Me

  • grind

    Etymology Old English grindan Proto Germanic grinnan Proto Indo European root grei