30 March 2015
masticate
[mas-ti-keyt]
verb (used with object), verb (used without object), masticated, masticating.
1. to chew.
2. to reduce to a pulp by crushing or kneading, as rubber.
Origin
Late Latin
1640-1650; < Late Latin masticātus, past participle of masticāre to chew. See mastic, -ate1
Related forms
masticable [mas-ti-kuh-buh l] (Show IPA), adjective
mastication, noun
masticator, noun
half-masticated, adjective
remasticate, verb, remasticated, remasticating.
Dictionary.com
Examples from the web for masticate
– These mixers use tremendous power to literally chew, or masticate, rubber and solid fillers into an acceptable mixture.
– Cottontail rabbits congregate there, snuffling bits of surface grit to help them masticate dandelions and clover.
– Wind it up and it looks set to masticate you into a gooey porridge.
Anagram
tacit seam
a cat mites
Today’s aphorism
I dream of painting and then I paint my dream.
– Vincent Van Gogh
On this day
30 March – Land Day, annual day of commemoration for Palestinians following the events of 1976 in which 6 Palestinian protestors were killed campaigning against the Israeli government’s announcement of plans to expropriate large amounts of Palestinian land for Israel. Land Day is recognised as a pivotal event in the struggle over Palestinian land and Palestine’s relationship to Israel.
30 March 1853 – birthday of Vincent Van Gogh, dutch painter.
30 March 1878 – the USA buys Alaska from Russia for $7.2 million.
30 March 1981 – US President Ronald Reagan shot at close range by John Hinckley, who was later found not guilty by reason of insanity. Hinckley was obsessed with actress Jodie Foster and thought he could get her attention and impress her, by killing the President. Also shot were Reagan’s press secretary, a Washington police officer and a Secret Service agent. None were injured fatally. Reagan underwent emergency surgery. He was released from hospital on 11 April 1981 and is the first president to survive an assassination attempt.
30 March 1987 – an anonymous buyer purchases the Vincent Van Gogh painting, ‘Sunflowers‘ for $36.3 million.
30 March 2002 – the Queen Mother dies at the age 101.