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Definitions for: Hum [n] a humming noise; "the hum of distant traffic"
[v] sing with closed lips; "She hummed a melody"
[v] make a low continuous sound; "The refrigerator is humming"
[v] sound with a monotonous hum
[v] be noisy with activity; "This office is buzzing with activity"
Webster (1913) Definition: 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.
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]
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.
Hum, interj. [Cf. Hem, interj.]
Ahem; hem; an inarticulate sound uttered in a pause of speech
implying doubt and deliberation. --Pope.
Synonyms: buzz, humming, seethe, thrum
See Also: be, go, make noise, noise, noise, pullulate, resound, sing, sound, swarm, teem
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