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9 dictionary results for: hum
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
hum       [huhm] Pronunciation Key verb, hummed, hum·ming, noun, interjection
–verb (used without object)
1.to make a low, continuous, droning sound.
2.to give forth an indistinct sound of mingled voices or noises.
3.to utter an indistinct sound in hesitation, embarrassment, dissatisfaction, etc.; hem.
4.to sing with closed lips, without articulating words.
5.to be in a state of busy activity: The household hummed in preparation for the wedding.
6.British Slang. to have a bad odor, as of stale perspiration.
–verb (used with object)
7.to sound, sing, or utter by humming: to hum a tune.
8.to bring, put, etc., by humming: to hum a child to sleep.
–noun
9.the act or sound of humming; an inarticulate or indistinct murmur; hem.
10.Audio. an unwanted low-frequency sound caused by power-line frequencies in any audio component.
–interjection
11.(an inarticulate sound uttered in contemplation, hesitation, dissatisfaction, doubt, etc.)
[Origin: 1300–50; ME; ult. imit.; c. G hummen to hum; cf. humblebee]

—Synonyms 5. bustle, buzz.
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
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American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
hum       (hŭm)  Pronunciation Key 
v.   hummed, hum·ming, hums

v.   intr.
    1. To emit a continuous low droning sound like that of the speech sound (m) when prolonged.
    2. To emit the continuous droning sound of a bee on the wing; buzz.
    3. To give forth a low continuous drone blended of many sounds: The avenue hummed with traffic.
  2. To be in a state of busy activity.
  3. To produce a tune without opening the lips or forming words.

v.   tr.
  1. To sing (a tune) without opening the lips or forming words.
  2. Baseball To throw or pitch (a ball) very fast.

n.  
  1. The sound produced by humming.
  2. The act of humming.

interj.   Used to indicate hesitation, surprise, or displeasure.


[Middle English hummen, of imitative origin.]

hum'ma·ble adj.
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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
hum 
c.1374, hommen "make a murmuring sound to cover embarrassment," later hummen "to buzz, drone" (c.1420), probably of imitative origin. Sense of "sing with closed lips" is first attested c.1485; that of "be busy and active" is 1884, perhaps on analogy of a beehive. Humming-bird (1637) so called from sound made by the rapid vibration of its wings.
"There is a curious bird to see to, called a humming bird, no bigger then a great Beetle." [Thomas Morton, "New English Canaan," 1637]

Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2001 Douglas Harper
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WordNet - Cite This Source - Share This
hum

noun
1. the state of being or appearing to be actively engaged in an activity; "they manifested all the busyness of a pack of beavers"; "there is a constant hum of military preparation" [syn: busyness] 
2. an Islamic fundamentalist group in Pakistan that fought the Soviet Union in Afghanistan in the 1980s; now operates as a terrorist organization primarily in Kashmir and seeks Kashmir's accession by Pakistan [syn: Harkat-ul-Mujahidin] 
3. a humming noise; "the hum of distant traffic" 

verb
1. sing with closed lips; "She hummed a melody" 
2. be noisy with activity; "This office is buzzing with activity" 
3. sound with a monotonous hum 
4. make a low continuous sound; "The refrigerator is humming" 

WordNet® 3.0, © 2006 by Princeton University.
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American Heritage Stedman's Medical Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

hum (hŭm)
n.
A low, continuous murmur blended of many sounds.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Hum

Hum\, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Hummed; p. pr. & vb. n. Humming.] [Of imitative origin; cf. G. hummen, D. hommelen. [root]15.]

1. To make a low, prolonged sound, like that of a bee in flight; to drone; to murmur; to buzz; as, a top hums. --P. Fletcher.

Still humming on, their drowsy course they keep. --Pope.

2. To make a nasal sound, like that of the letter m prolonged, without opening the mouth, or articulating; to mumble in monotonous undertone; to drone.

The cloudy messenger turns me his back, And hums. --Shak.

3. [Cf. Hum, interj.] To make an inarticulate sound, like h'm, through the nose in the process of speaking, from embarrassment or a affectation; to hem.

4. To express satisfaction by a humming noise.

Here the spectators hummed. --Trial of the Regicides.

Note: Formerly the habit of audiences was to express gratification by humming and displeasure by hissing.

5. To have the sensation of a humming noise; as, my head hums, -- a pathological condition.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Hum

Hum\, v. t. 1. To sing with shut mouth; to murmur without articulation; to mumble; as, to hum a tune.

2. To express satisfaction with by humming.

3. To flatter by approving; to cajole; to impose on; to humbug. [Colloq. & Low]

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Hum

Hum\, n. 1. A low monotonous noise, as of bees in flight, of a swiftly revolving top, of a wheel, or the like; a drone; a buzz.

The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums. --Shak.

2. Any inarticulate and buzzing sound; as: (a) The confused noise of a crowd or of machinery, etc., heard at a distance; as, the hum of industry.

But 'midst the crowd, the hum, the shock of men. --Byron. (b) A buzz or murmur, as of approbation. --Macaulay.

3. An imposition or hoax.

4. [Cf. Hem, interj.] An inarticulate nasal sound or murmur, like h'm, uttered by a speaker in pause from embarrassment, affectation, etc.

THese shrugs, these hums and ha's. --Shak.

5. [Perh. so called because strongly intoxicating.] A kind of strong drink formerly used. [Obs.] --Beau. & Fl.

Venous hum. See under Venous.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This

Hum

Hum\, interj. [Cf. Hem, interj.] Ahem; hem; an inarticulate sound uttered in a pause of speech implying doubt and deliberation. --Pope.

Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
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