Dictionary entry

Chew

Webster's Dictionary 1913

Chew (chṳ), v. t. [imp. & p. p.Chewed (chṳd); p. pr. & vb. n.Chewing.] [As ceówan, akin to D. kauwen, G. kauen. Cf. Chaw, Jaw.] 1. To bite and grind with the teeth; to masticate.

2. To ruminate mentally; to meditate on.

He chews revenge, abjuring his offense.

Prior.

To chew the cud, to chew the food over again, as a cow; to ruminate; hence, to meditate.

Every beast the parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the beasts, that ye shall eat.

Deut. xxiv. 6.