an|fressen
Translation
to corrode, to eat away at, to start eating, to put on weight
Examples
Der Rost frisst das Metall an.
The rust is corroding the metal.
Die Raupe hat das Blatt angefressen.
The caterpillar has started eating the leaf.
Er hat sich einen Bauch angefressen.
He has eaten his way to a belly.
Grammar Patterns
((sth.)) an|fressen to eat away at (sth.) The rust is eating away at the metal.
sich3 ((sth.)) an|fressen to put on (sth., e.g. weight) by eating He has put on a belly by eating.
Similar Words
annagen (to gnaw at), korrodieren (to corrode), zunehmen (to gain weight)
Etymology
From 'an-' (on, at) + 'fressen' (to eat like an animal). Literally 'to eat at' something.
Memory Tips
Imagine rust 'eating at' ('anfressen') the surface of metal, or someone 'eating on' pounds over the winter.