chew; masticate; ponder; savor
Meanings
2 senses · 6 examplesverb
to chew; to masticate
Refers to the physical process of breaking down food in the mouth using teeth. Often used in the idiom '细嚼慢咽' (to chew carefully and swallow slowly).
You should chew carefully and swallow slowly when eating; this aids digestion.
The cow was quietly chewing fodder in the meadow.
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Chewing food thoroughly can reduce the burden on the stomach.
verb
to ponder; to meditate on; to savor; to mull over
literaryMetaphorical usage indicating deep, repeated contemplation of meanings, artistic conceptions, or implications. Often used with abstract concepts like poetry, language, or experiences. Carries a literary flavor.
The artistic conception of this poem is profound and worth savoring repeatedly.
He sat by the window, carefully mulling over what the teacher had just said.
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This experience is worth spending a lifetime pondering and reflecting upon.