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drum up

 - 6 dictionary results

drum

1  [druhm] noun, plural drums, (especially collectively for 11) drum, verb, drummed, drum⋅ming.
Use drum up in a Sentence
–noun
1. a musical percussion instrument consisting of a hollow, usually cylindrical, body covered at one or both ends with a tightly stretched membrane, or head, which is struck with the hand, a stick, or a pair of sticks, and typically produces a booming, tapping, or hollow sound.
2. any hollow tree or similar object or device used in this way.
3. the sound produced by such an instrument, object, or device.
4. any rumbling or deep booming sound.
5. a natural organ by which an animal produces a loud or bass sound.
6. eardrum.
7. any cylindrical object with flat ends.
8. a cylindrical part of a machine.
9. a cylindrical box or receptacle, esp. a large, metal one for storing or transporting liquids.
10. Also called tambour. Architecture.
a. any of several cylindrical or nearly cylindrical stones laid one above the other to form a column or pier.
b. a cylindrical or faceted construction supporting a dome.
11. any of several marine and freshwater fishes of the family Sciaenidae that produce a drumming sound.
12. Also called drum memory. Computers. magnetic drum.
13. Archaic. an assembly of fashionable people at a private house in the evening.
14. a person who plays the drum.
15. Australian Informal. reliable, confidential, or profitable information: to give someone the drum.
–verb (used without object)
16. to beat or play a drum.
17. to beat on anything rhythmically, esp. to tap one's fingers rhythmically on a hard surface.
18. to make a sound like that of a drum; resound.
19. (of ruffed grouse and other birds) to produce a sound resembling drumming.
–verb (used with object)
20. to beat (a drum) rhythmically; perform by beating a drum: to drum a rhythm for dancers.
21. to call or summon by, or as if by, beating a drum.
22. to drive or force by persistent repetition: to drum an idea into someone.
23. to fill a drum with; store in a drum: to drum contaminated water and dispose of it.
—Verb phrases
24. drum out,
a. (formerly) to expel or dismiss from a military service in disgrace to the beat of a drum.
b. to dismiss in disgrace: He was drummed out of the university for his gambling activities.
25. drum up,
a. to call or summon by, or as if by, beating a drum.
b. to obtain or create (customers, trade, interest, etc.) through vigorous effort: They were unable to drum up enthusiasm for the new policies.
c. to concoct; devise: to drum up new methods of dealing with urban crime.
—Idiom
26. beat the drum, to promote, publicize, or advertise: The boss is out beating the drum for a new product.
Origin:
1535–45; back formation from drumslade drum, drummer, alter. of D or LG trommelslag drumbeat, equiv. to trommel drum + slag beat (akin to slagen to beat; c. slay )
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To drum up
drum   (drŭm)   
n.  

    1. A percussion instrument consisting of a hollow cylinder or hemisphere with a membrane stretched tightly over one or both ends, played by beating with the hands or sticks.

    2. A sound produced by this instrument.

    3. A circular or polygonal wall supporting a dome or cupola. Also called tambour.

    4. Any of the cylindrical stone blocks that are stacked to form the shaft of a column.

  2. Something resembling a drum in shape or structure, especially a barrellike metal container or a metal cylinder wound with cable, wire, or heavy rope.

  3. Architecture

    1. A circular or polygonal wall supporting a dome or cupola. Also called tambour.

    2. Any of the cylindrical stone blocks that are stacked to form the shaft of a column.

  4. Any of various marine and freshwater fishes of the family Sciaenidae that make a drumming sound.

  5. Anatomy The eardrum.

v.   drummed, drum·ming, drums

v.   intr.

  1. To play a drum or drums.

  2. To thump or tap rhythmically or continually: nervously drummed on the table.

  3. To produce a booming, reverberating sound by beating the wings, as certain birds do.

v.   tr.

  1. To perform (a piece or tune) on or as if on a drum.

  2. To summon by or as if by beating a drum.

  3. To make known to or force upon (a person) by constant repetition: drummed the answers into my head.

  4. To expel or dismiss in disgrace. Often used with out: was drummed out of the army.

Phrasal Verb(s):
drum up

  1. To bring about by continuous, persistent effort: drum up new business.

  2. To devise; invent: drummed up an alibi.


[Middle English drom, probably alteration of Middle Dutch tromme, probably of imitative origin.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Word Origin & History

drum 
1420s, from M.Du. tromme "drum," probably of imitative origin. Not common before 1575. To drum up (business, etc.) is Amer.Eng. 1839, from the old way of drawing a crowd. Drumstick is from 1589; applied to the lower joint of cooked fowl 1764.
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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Medical Dictionary

Main Entry: drum
Pronunciation: 'dr&m
Function: noun
: TYMPANICMEMBRANE
Merriam-Webster's Medical Dictionary, © 2002 Merriam-Webster, Inc.
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Medical Dictionary

drum (drŭm)
n.
See eardrum.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Idioms & Phrases

drum up

  1. Bring about by persistent effort, as in I'm trying to drum up more customers, or We have to drum up support for this amendment. This expression alludes to making repeated drumbeats. [Mid-1800s]

  2. Devise, invent, obtain, as in He hoped to drum up an alibi. [Mid-1800s]

The American Heritage® Dictionary of Idioms by Christine Ammer.
Copyright © 1997. Published by Houghton Mifflin.
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