rhizoverbBeta
DictionarymaulRough injury or damage
verb

maul

MAWL/mɔːl/

To injure or damage by attacking or handling roughly.

The powerful dog mauls the trainer’s padded sleeve.

A powerful dog violently shakes and tears a padded training sleeve held by a protected trainer; clear attack, no wounds or blood.
Etymology
maulLatinhammer

The hammer image in malleus survives in the verb's original meaning: to strike or bruise with a heavy weapon. The association with hammering faded, leaving the broader sense of badly injuring or mangling.

In context

DiscipleDojo100:49
just this big thing that could maul me.
Book Club - CS Lewis's Ransom Trilogy: Out of the Silent Planet (Week 3)

More examples

  • A loose dog mauled the sheep.
  • The machine had mauled the edge of the fabric.
  • The critic mauled the production in a scathing review.

Forms

maul · mauls · mauled · mauling

Similar words

mangle
Mangle means badly damage or disfigure; maul emphasizes a violent attack or rough handling.
batter
Batter means strike repeatedly; maul can involve biting, clawing, or tearing as well.