Crossword Dictionary

What's The Definition Of 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.
\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.