English

Adjective

gnawing ‎(comparative more gnawing, superlative most gnawing)

1. (of pain or hunger) severe or intense

Verb

gnawing

1. present participle of gnaw

Noun

gnawing ‎(plural gnawings)

1. A sensation of being gnawed
   • 1836, American Anti-Slavery Society, The Anti-Slavery Examiner, Part 1 of 4:

     The spirit of slavery raves under tormenting gnawings, and casts about in blind phrenzy for something to ease, or even to mock them.

   • 1893, Marietta Holley, Samantha at the World's Fair:

     "If I made them suffer the pains of exile, I would not let them endure also the gnawings of starvation.

   • 1917, Julian Street, American Adventures:

     But from the time we returned from our first journey, after having spent some months in trying, as some one put it, to "discover America," I felt the gnawings of excited appetite.

Anagrams

• wanging