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gumming - 4 dictionary results

gum

1  [guhm] noun, verb, gummed, gum⋅ming.
Use gumming in a Sentence
–noun
1. any of various viscid, amorphous exudations from plants, hardening on exposure to air and soluble in or forming a viscid mass with water.
2. any of various similar exudations, as resin.
3. a preparation of such a substance, as for use in the arts or bookbinding.
4. chewing gum.
5. mucilage; glue.
6. rubber 1 (def. 1).
7. gum tree.
8. Philately. the adhesive by which a postage stamp is affixed. Compare o.g. (def. 1).
9. Informal. a rubber overshoe or boot.
–verb (used with object)
10. to smear, stiffen, or stick together with gum.
11. to clog with or as if with some gummy substance.
–verb (used without object)
12. to exude or form gum.
13. to become gummy.
14. to become clogged with a gummy substance.
—Verb phrase
15. gum up, Slang. to spoil or ruin.
—Idiom
16. gum up the works. work (def. 50).
Origin:
1350–1400; ME gomme < OF < VL *gumma, for L gummi, cummi < Gk kómmi

Related forms:
gumless, adjective
gumlike, adjective

gum

2  [guhm] noun, verb, gummed, gum⋅ming.
–noun
1. Often, gums. Also called gingiva. the firm, fleshy tissue covering the alveolar parts of either jaw and enveloping the necks of the teeth.
–verb (used with object)
2. to masticate (food) with the gums instead of teeth.
3. to shape or renew the teeth of (a saw), as by grinding.
—Idiom
4. beat one's gums, Slang. to talk excessively or ineffectively.
Origin:
1275–1325; ME gome, OE gōma palate; akin to ON gōmr, G Gaumen palate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To gumming
gum 1   (gŭm)   
n.  
    1. Any of various viscous substances that are exuded by certain plants and trees and dry into water-soluble, noncrystalline, brittle solids.
    2. A similar plant exudate, such as a resin.
    3. Any of various adhesives made from such exudates or other sticky substance.
    4. Any of various trees of the genera Eucalyptus, Liquidambar, or Nyssa that are sources of gum. Also called gum tree.
    5. The wood of such a tree; gumwood.
  2. A substance resembling the viscous substance exuded by certain plants, as in stickiness.
    1. Any of various trees of the genera Eucalyptus, Liquidambar, or Nyssa that are sources of gum. Also called gum tree.
    2. The wood of such a tree; gumwood.
  4. Chewing gum.
v.   gummed, gum·ming, gums

v.   tr.
To cover, smear, seal, fill, or fix in place with or as if with gum.
v.   intr.
  1. To exude or form gum.
  2. To become sticky or clogged.
Phrasal Verb(s):
gum upTo ruin or bungle: gum up the works.

[Middle English gomme, from Old French, from Late Latin gumma, variant of Latin gummi, cummi, from Greek kommi, perhaps from Egyptian ḳmj-t.]
gum 2   (gŭm)   
n.  The firm connective tissue covered by mucous membrane that envelops the alveolar arches of the jaw and surrounds the bases of the teeth. Also called gingiva.
tr.v.   gummed, gum·ming, gums
To chew (food) with toothless gums.

[Middle English gome, from Old English gōma, palate, jaw.]
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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