Category:Hum

Hum, v. i. [imp. & p. p. Hummed; p. pr. & vb. n. Humming.] Etym: [Of imitative origin; cf. G. hummen, D. hommelen. sq. root15.]

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. Etym: [Cf. Hum, interj.]

Defn: 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 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 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. Etym: [Cf. Hem, interj.]

Defn: 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. Etym: [Perh. so called because strongly intoxicating.]

Defn: A kind of strong drink formerly used. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl. Venous hum. See under Venous.

hum Hum, interj. Etym: [Cf. Hem, interj.]

Defn: Ahem; hem; an inarticulate sound uttered in a pause of speech implying doubt and deliberation. Pope.