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Definition of: masticate
(mas′tə·kāt) v.t. ·cat·ed, ·cat·ing
1. To crush or grind (food) for swallowing; chew.
2. To reduce, as rubber, to a pulp by crushing or kneading. [<LL masticatus, pp. of masticare chew <Gk. mastichaein gnash the teeth <mastax jaw]
—mas′ti·ca′tion noun
—mas′ti·ca′tor noun
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