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Webster 1913 Edition


Hum

Hum

(hŭm)
,
Verb.
I.
[
imp. & p. p.
Hummed
;
p. pr. & vb. n.
Humming
.]
[Of imitative origin; cf. G.
hummen
, D.
hommelen
. √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
.
Shakespeare
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.
☞ 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
.

Hum

,
Verb.
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]

Hum

,
Noun.
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
.
Shakespeare
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
.
(b)
A buzz or murmur, as of approbation.
Macaulay.
3.
An imposition or hoax.
4.
[Cf.
Hem
,
int
erj.
]
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.
Shakespeare
5.
[Perh. so called because strongly intoxicating.]
A kind of strong drink formerly used.
[Obs.]
Beau. & Fl.
Venous hum
.
See under
Venous
.

Hum

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

Webster 1828 Edition


Hum

HUM

,
Verb.
I.
To utter the sound of bees; to buzz.
1.
To make an inarticulate buzzing sound.
The cloudy messenger turns me his back,
And hums--
2.
To pause in speaking, and make an audible noise like the humming bees.
He hummed and hawed.
3.
To make a dull, heavy noise like a drone.
Still humming, on their drowsy course they took.
4.
To applaud.

HUM

,
Verb.
T.
To sing in a low voice; as, to hum a tune.
1.
To cause to hum; to impose on.

HUM

,
Noun.
The noise of bees or insects.
1.
A low confused noise, as of crowds; as the busy hum of men.
2.
Any low dull noise.
3.
A low inarticulate sound, uttered by a speaker in a pause; as hums and haws.
4.
An expression of applause.

HUM

, exclam. A sound with a pause, implying doubt and deliberation.

Definition 2024


húm

húm

See also: hum, Hum, and hùm

Icelandic

Noun

húm n (genitive singular húms, no plural)

  1. twilight, dusk

Declension

Synonyms

Antonyms