v. Obs. [OE. forgnaȝan, f. FOR- pref.1 + gnaȝan to GNAW.] trans. To gnaw in pieces, eat up; lit. and fig.

1

c. 1000.  Ælfric, Hom. (Th.), II. 194. Gærstapan … forgnoȝon swa hwæt swa se haȝol belæfde.

2

a. 1225.  Ancr. R., 338. ‘Godis god, hwon ich hit do,’ cweð he, Seint Aunselme, ‘so, o summe wise, min vuel hit forgnaweð.’

3

c. 1290.  Altenglische Legenden (Horstmann), I. 161. Somme seten on oueward hem, & hor wreche flesch uor gnowe.

4

c. 1325.  Body & Soul, 269, in Map’s Poems, 343. Wormes for-gnowen heor alre throte.

5

1413.  Pilgr. Sowle (Caxton, 1483), II. xlv. 24. Somme had feete al forgnawen and bounden as they were al forbroken.

6