啃

啃(龈) [kěn] 动

1. ■ （一点一点儿地往下咬） bite; gnaw; nibble:

啃老玉米 nibble at an ear of corn;

把骨头上的肉啃下来 bite meat off the bone; gnaw the meat off a bone;

老鼠能啃穿木头。 A rat can gnaw a hole through wood.

他在啃苹果。 He was nibbling on the apple.

2. ■ （徒劳无益的钻研） take great pains with one's studies:

啃书本 delve into books; read with great difficulty but with little understanding; make laborious efforts to read

“龈” 另见 yín。