01 v. t. To eat up with greediness; to consume ravenously; to feast upon like a wild beast or a glutton; to prey upon.
imp. & p. p.
Devoured; p. pr. & vb. n.
Devouring
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1.
To eat up with greediness; to consume ravenously; to feast upon like a wild beast or a glutton; to prey upon.“Some evil beast hath devoured him.” — Gen. xxxvii. 20.
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2.
To seize upon and destroy or appropriate greedily, selfishly, or wantonly; to consume; to swallow up; to use up; to waste; to annihilate.“Famine and pestilence shall devour him.” — Ezek. vii. 15.“I waste my life and do my days devour.” — Spenser.
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3.
To enjoy with avidity; to appropriate or take in eagerly by the senses.“Longing they look, and gaping at the sight, Devour her o'er with vast delight.” — Dryden.
Syn.
To consume; waste; destroy; annihilate.