verschlingen

Verschlingen is a German verb meaning to devour or to swallow greedily. It can be used both for eating physical food and for consuming something figuratively, such as a book, a time span, or attention. In broader metaphorical use, verschlingen conveys how something consumes or engulfs another thing completely.

Etymology and related senses

The verb is formed from the stem schlingen, meaning to coil or wind around, with the prefix ver-, which often intensifies or broadens meaning. The combination conveys the idea of wrapping around something and taking it in completely. Historically, verschlingen can describe both literal ingestion and figurative swallowing, such as a city by war or time by an activity.

Usage and examples

Verschlingen is transitive and typically takes a direct object. Common expressions include verschlingen as in “einen Roman verschlingen” (to devour a novel) or “die Zeit verschlingt ihn” (time consumes him). A frequent collocation is “viel Zeit verschlingen” (to eat up a lot of time). In narrative or literary contexts, it can emphasize a rapid, absorbing consumption.

Conjugation and grammar notes

Verschlingen is a strong (irregular) verb. Present tense forms include ich verschlinge, du verschlingst, er verschlingt; preterite forms include ich verschlang, wir verschlangen. The perfect tense is formed with haben, for example: ich habe das Buch verschlungen. The verb tends to appear in both neutral and figurative registers, suitable for literary and journalistic styles.

See also

Verzehren, aufsaugen, verzehr.

In summary, verschlingen denotes forceful or complete consumption, applicable to both literal eating and metaphorical occupation of time, space, or attention.