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Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1) - Cite This Source - Share This
hum
[huhm] Pronunciation Key verb, hummed, hum·ming, noun, interjection
[huhm] Pronunciation Key verb, hummed, hum·ming, noun, interjection –verb (used without object)
–verb (used with object)
–noun
–interjection
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 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. |
| 11. | (an inarticulate sound uttered in contemplation, hesitation, dissatisfaction, doubt, etc.) |
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
American Heritage Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
| hum
(hŭm) Pronunciation Key
v. hummed, hum·ming, hums v. intr.
v. tr.
n.
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.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
Online Etymology Dictionary - Cite This Source - Share This
hum
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
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.
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.
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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.
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.
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.
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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