See Also: Sin Chew Jit Poh(finance)
chew(1)(dictionary)
chew(2)(dictionary)
chew 1, verb(dictionary)
chew 2, noun(dictionary)
functional chew-in record(medicine)

chew(2) (iou)



chew verb. See also CHAW verb, CHOW verb.

verb trans. Crush, bruise, and grind by the action of the molar teeth; grind to a pulp or indent by repeated biting; masticate (food). OE.
b. Injure, break, or destroy with an action resembling that of the jaws. Freq. foll. by off, up. M19.
C. Ryan The port wing..was chewed off by the propeller of a Stirling bomber.
verb trans. fig.
a. Examine or plan deliberately; meditate on; turn over in the mind; talk over. ME.
M. Prior He chews Revenge.
b. Mumble; mutter inarticulately. E17.
c. Foll. by out: reprimand. N. Amer. colloq. M20.
verb intrans. Work food etc. with the teeth; champ, masticate. (Foll. by (up)on something.) LME.
verb intrans. Meditate, ruminate, exercise the mind, (up)on, at. L16.
Phrases: bite off more than one can chew: see BITE verb. chewing-gum a preparation of sweetened and flavoured gums and resins, used for prolonged chewing. chew the cud: see CUD noun. chew the fat, chew the rag slang discuss a matter; persist in grumbling.
Comb.: chew-stick (a) = chaw-stick s.v. CHAW verb; (b) the root or stem of various W. African plants, used to clean the teeth.
chewable adjective able to be chewed M19.
chewer noun a person who or thing which chews E17.
chewy adjective suitable for chewing; needing to be chewed: E20.