v. t. [ imp. & p. p. Devoured p. pr. & vb. n. Devouring. ] [ F. dévorer, fr. L. devorare; de + vorare to eat greedily, swallow up. See Voracious. ] 1. To eat up with greediness; to consume ravenously; to feast upon like a wild beast or a glutton; to prey upon. [ 1913 Webster ]
Some evil beast hath devoured him. Gen. xxxvii. 20. [ 1913 Webster ]
2. To seize upon and destroy or appropriate greedily, selfishly, or wantonly; to consume; to swallow up; to use up; to waste; to annihilate. [ 1913 Webster ]
Famine and pestilence shall devour him. Ezek. vii. 15. [ 1913 Webster ]
I waste my life and do my days devour. Spenser. [ 1913 Webster ]
3. To enjoy with avidity; to appropriate or take in eagerly by the senses. [ 1913 Webster ]
Longing they look, and gaping at the sight,
Devour her o'er with vast delight. Dryden.
Syn. -- To consume; waste; destroy; annihilate. [ 1913 Webster ]