Liberal Dictionary English Dictionary
gnash [nash] ExamplesWord Origin See more synonyms for gnash on Thesaurus.com verb (used with object)
- to grind or strike (the teeth) together, especially in rage or pain.
- to bite with grinding teeth.
verb (used without object)
- to gnash the teeth.
noun
- an act of gnashing.
Origin of gnash 1490–1500; variant of obsolete gnast, Middle English gnasten; compare Old Norse gnastan gnashing of teethRelated formsgnash·ing·ly, adverb Related Words for gnash grate, crush, clamp, rub, grit Examples from the Web for gnash Historical Examples of gnash
Then she would stare at the child and gnash her teeth as though with hate.
H. Rider Haggard
Men and women will gnash their teeth against their own children.
Mooshie G. Daniel
Coming back in the cars, I had a rencontre that makes me gnash my teeth yet.
Sarah Margan Dawson
With them I can with one gnash divide a knight in half at the waist.
Ernest Louis Victor Jules L’Epine
He did so; Jeanne hearkened; and then it was Sweder’s turn to gnash his teeth.
Ernest Gilliat-Smith
British Dictionary definitions for gnash gnash verb
- to grind (the teeth) together, as in pain or anger
- (tr) to bite or chew as by grinding the teeth
noun
- the act of gnashing the teeth
Derived Formsgnashingly, adverbWord Origin for gnash C15: probably of Scandinavian origin; compare Old Norse gnastan gnashing of teeth, gnesta to clatter Word Origin and History for gnash v.
early 15c., variant of Middle English gnasten “to gnash the teeth” (c.1300), perhaps from Old Norse gnastan “a gnashing,” of unknown origin, probably imitative. Cf. German knistern “to crackle.” Related: Gnashed; gnashing.