mâchonner

Senses

1. 1.

   to chew repeatedly or noisily

   to chew with visible or audible effort, often in a mechanical or absent-minded way

2. 2.

   to mumble

   to speak indistinctly while chewing or with the mouth closed

Examples

• "Il mâchonnait son cigare en réfléchissant."

  He was chewing on his cigar while thinking.

• "Elle mâchonnait quelque chose entre ses dents."

  She was mumbling something between her teeth.

• "Le vieux mâchonnait sa pipe sans rien dire."

  The old man was chewing on his pipe without saying anything.

Usage

Informal and somewhat colloquial. Often implies repetitive or unconscious chewing, sometimes with an undertone of annoyance or distraction. Frequently used with objects like tobacco pipes, cigars, or food. Not to be confused with the more formal "mâcher" (to chew).