Definify.com
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
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 conditionHum
,Verb.
T.
1.
To sing with shut mouth; to murmur without articulation; to mumble;
as, to
. hum
a tune2.
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.
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.
1.
To cause to hum; to impose on.HUM
,Noun.
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.