chew, bite, gnaw
噛 centers on using the teeth to break something down: chewing, biting, or gnawing. All three given meanings are direct actions of the mouth and teeth.
噛 is the modern Japanese simplified form of 嚙. The older form combines 口 (mouth) with 齩, which likely contributed both sound and the idea of biting or chewing. The modern right side 歯 (tooth) visually reinforces the meaning.
A mouth 口 beside a tooth 歯: picture a mouth full of teeth actively chewing and biting down on food.
For コウ, imagine a cow chewing its cud with a slow, grinding motion: cow -> コウ, and the cow's teeth are always gnawing.
to bite
to bite (at); to snap at
to mesh (of gears, cogs, etc.); to engage with each other; to meet (of teeth); to occlude
to chew thoroughly; to bite (e.g. one's lip)
to crunch; to masticate
while fumbling one's words; with a stutter
snapping turtle (Chelydra serpentina)
to participate in (as a member); to get involved in
overbite
sake made from rice or other cereal which is chewed before fermentation
to force someone to clamp with their teeth; to force into someone's mouth (e.g. a gag)
to force someone to clamp with their teeth; to force into someone's mouth (e.g. a gag)
foil; someone to look as if he's putting up a fight but actually have no chance of winning
to crush with the teeth; to crunch
chewing tobacco
bite wound; bite
to taste; to distinguish; to understand
to bite off; to gnaw through
to bite off
occlusion; bite