噬

The core sense is the closing of the jaws to seize or consume. This manifests in three primary modes: sudden (to snap at), sustained (to gnaw/grind), and general (to bite). The glyph generally implies more aggression, force, or predatory intent than 吃 (eat) or 咀 (chew).

Almost exclusively a transitive verb requiring an object.

In archaic or high-style texts, 噬 is the standard term for "devouring," a role largely taken over by 咬 in later vernacular Chinese. It is frequently paired with 吞 (swallow) in the compound 吞噬 (to devour or consume entirely).

Distinguish between the act of seizing (the bite) and the result of consumption (devouring). The glyph's usage often moves from literal physical action to erosive destruction (e.g., time or rust "gnawing" away) and further into metaphorical or cosmic consumption.