Source : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Chew \Chew\ (ch[udd]), v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Chewed} (ch[udd]d);
   p. pr. & vb. n. {Chewing}.] [As ce['o]wan, akin to D. kauwen,
   G. kauen. Cf. {Chaw}, {Jaw}.]
   1. To bite and grind with the teeth; to masticate.

   2. To ruminate mentally; to meditate on.

            He chews revenge, abjuring his offense. --Prior.

   {To chew the cud}, to chew the food ocer again, as a cow; to
      ruminate; hence, to meditate.

            Every beast the parteth the hoof, and cleaveth the
            cleft into two claws, and cheweth the cud among the
            beasts, that ye shall eat.            --Deut. xxiv.
                                                  6.

Source : WordNet®

chewing
     n : biting and grinding food in your mouth so it becomes soft
         enough to swallow [syn: {chew}, {mastication}, {manduction}]