Bit-by-bit ingestion "V at n" construction

Form

NP
Ingestor
Verb
at
NP
Substance

Examples

Ingestor She
Verb nibbled
at at
Substance [the buttered toast.]

Meaning

An Ingestor consumes an Ingestible in small amounts.

Roles

Ingestor
The person that consumes the Ingestible.
Substance
The drink, food, or other consumable substance (e.g. tobacco) that is consumed by the Ingestor.

Frames

Ingest_substance ( Ingestor, Substance )

Inherits from

Sub-constructions

Lexical items ( Verb slot)

Ingestion lap Freeway jumped in and began lapping at the pool of water that never seemed to drain away completely. nibble Feeling suddenly hungry, she nibbled at the buttered toast. pick Paige could only pick at her meal, forcing down a mouthful or two. sip He sipped at the glass of water on the lectern and then resumed. Ingest_substance puff Maurice puffed at his pipe and seemed more relaxed.

Phraseological constructions