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chaw - What does it mean?

Definition of 'chaw'

English

Noun

(en-noun)
  • (informal|uncountable) Chewing tobacco.
  • When the doctor told him to quit smoking, Harvey switched to chaw , but then developed cancer of the mouth.
  • (countable) A plug or wad of chewing tobacco.
  • My uncle's way to convince us not to use tobacco was to give us each a big chaw , and then get us to swallow it.
  • * 1889 , , Chapter XXI,
  • "YOU give him a chaw', did you? So did your sister's cat's grandmother. You pay me back the ' chaws you've awready borry'd off'n me, Lafe Buckner, then I'll loan you one or two ton of it, and won't charge you no back intrust, nuther."
  • (obsolete) The jaw.
  • (Spenser)

    Verb

    (en-verb)
  • (archaic|or|nonstandard) To chew; to grind with one's teeth; to masticate (food, or the cud); to champ (at the bit).
  • (Spenser)
  • * Surrey
  • The trampling steed, with gold and purple trapped, / Chawing the foamy bit, there fiercely stood.
  • * 1884 , , Chapter XXIX,
  • To ruminate in thought; to consider; to keep the mind working upon; to brood over.
  • (Dryden)
  • (UK|slang) To steal.
  • Some pikey's chawed my bike.
    Appalachian English

    Similar to 'chaw'

    cow, caw, chew, chow, cahow