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
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.