gnash

Meaning

Verb

1. To grind (one's teeth) in pain or in anger.
2. To grind between the teeth.
3. To clash together violently.
4. To run away.

Noun

A sudden snapping of the teeth.

Synonyms

grind

crunch

grind the teeth

bite

clench

grit

grate

craunch

gnash the teeth

grate the teeth

join by hooking

creak

gnaw

scratch

sharpen

snap

cranch

Pronounced as (IPA)

/ˈnæʃ/

Etymology

Inherited from Middle English: gnasten

Cognate with Old Norse: gnastan

Cognate with Danish: gnaske

Cognate with German: knirschen

In summary

From Middle English gnasten. Origin unknown; the word is probably either Germanic or onomatopoeic. Compare Old Norse gnastan, Danish gnaske ("munch", "crunch"), German knirschen, German Low German gnirschen, gnörschen (“gnash”), Swedish gnissla (“squeak; gnash”).