Masticate definition - Dictionary

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masticate

mas·ti·cate [ másti kàyt ] (past and past participle mas·ti·cat·ed, present participle mas·ti·cat·ing, 3rd person present singular mas·ti·cates)

verb

Definition:

1. transitive and intransitive verb chew food: to grind and pulverize food inside the mouth, using the teeth and jaws

2. transitive verb grind to pulp: to grind or crush something until it turns to pulp

[Mid-17th century. < Latin masticat-, past participle of masticare< Greek mastikhan "grind the teeth"]

mas·ti·ca·tion [ màsti káysh'n ] noun

mas·ti·ca·tor [ másti kàytər ] noun

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