Măs'ti-cāte, v. t.

v. t. [imp. & p. p. MASTICATED; p. pr. & vb. n. MASTICATING.] [Lat. masticare, masticatum, allied to Gr. μαστάζειν, It. masticare, Sp. masticar, mastigar, mascar, Pg. mastigar, mascar, Pr. mastegar, maschar, Fr. mâcher.] To grind with the teeth and prepare for swallowing and digestion; to chew; as, to masticate food.