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word choice - What do rodents do?


I wonder if there is a English verb to express the way rodents (rats, mice, etc.) bite on something they are trying to eat or bite.


In Portuguese we have the verb roer which comes from roedor which means rodent and this also applies to other animals that are biting through some hard material for either eating it or not (pencil tips ring to mind). I'm curious to know if English has a similar word.



Answer



I believe gnaw is the word you're looking for.



a : to bite or chew on with the teeth; especially : to wear away by persistent biting or nibbling
b : to make by gnawing



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