gnaw

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gnaw /n'ɔː/ (gnaws gnawing gnawed)
1 [VERB] V at/on n, V n
If people or animals gnaw something or gnaw at it, they bite it repeatedly.
Woodlice attack living plants and gnaw at the stems...
Melanie gnawed a long, painted fingernail.
= chew
2 [VERB] V at n, V-ing
If a feeling or thought gnaws at you, it causes you to keep worrying. (WRITTEN)
Doubts were already gnawing away at the back of his mind...
Mary Ann's exhilaration gave way to gnawing fear.
= nag

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