man·du·ca·tion \ˌ ̷ ̷ ̷ ̷ˈkāshən\noun (-s) Etymology: Late Latin manducation-, manducatio, from Latin manducatus + -ion-, -io -ion 1. a.obsolete: the taking of food : eating b.: communion 2c 2.: the act of chewing — now used chiefly of invertebrate animals