humn.1
/hʌm/, U.S. /həm/ I. Senses relating to the sound.
1.
a. A low continuous sound made by a bee or other insect, also by a spinning top, machinery in motion, etc.Distinguished from a buzz by not being sibilant.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > continuous or protracted sound > [noun] > monotonous sound > hum
humblingc1384
hummingc1440
hum1601
reel1747
reeling1747
bum1790
bumble1834
brum1842
1601 P. Holland tr. Pliny Hist. World I. xi. x. 314 One of them [sc. bees] awaketh and raiseth all the rest with two or three bigge hums or buzzes.
1698 J. Fryer New Acct. E.-India & Persia 189 The Mosquito..not only wheals, but domineers by its continual Hums.
1786 S. Henley tr. W. Beckford Arabian Tale 78 The sullen hum of those nocturnal insects.
1856 R. W. Emerson Eng. Traits xiii. 226 The hum of the mill.
1893 F. Peel Spen Valley 156 The busy hum of the spinning-wheel.
b. The indistinct sound produced by the blending of distant voices or noises; a murmur; (in quot. 1625) a ‘buzz’ of rumour.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > faintness or weakness > [noun] > faint or weak sound > murmuring sound
murmuringc1385
murmur?a1425
murmell1535
babblea1592
muttering1613
huma1616
mussitation1649
simmering1689
croon1725
babbling1736
brool1837
brooling1837
brum1842
babblement1860
the mind > language > speech > conversation > [noun] > chatting or chat > gossiping > rumour > a piece of rumour
reportc1440
voice1463
some-say1589
buzz1612
huma1616
hearsaya1642
on dit1814
legend1858
latrine1917
latrinogram1944
gist1990
a1616 W. Shakespeare Henry V (1623) iv. 0. 5 From Camp to Camp..The Humme of eyther Army stilly sounds. View more context for this quotation
1625 B. Jonson Staple of Newes v. i The last hum that it made, was, that your Father, And Picklocke are fall'n out.
1797 A. Radcliffe Italian III. v. 160 A busy hum of voices from the tribunal.
1856 J. A. Froude Hist. Eng. (1858) I. iii. 189 The hum of expectation sounding louder and louder.
c. Medicine. In full venous hum. A continuous humming sound sometimes heard during auscultation in the upper chest and the sides of the neck, esp. in children and in cases of anaemia, and attributed to the turbulence of the flow of venous blood.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > sounds heard in body > [noun] > sounds heard in auscultation
bombus1753
hydatism1753
pectoriloquism1820
murmur1821
resonance1821
snoring1822
thrill1822
râle1825
pectoriloquy1826
respiration1826
rhonchus1827
bronchophonism1834
bronchophony1834
hum1839
tick-tack1853
friction-sound1860
friction-fremitus1877
sibilus1887
1839 J. Hope Treat. Dis. Heart (ed. 3) i. iv. 118 By the adroit management of the stethoscope..the venous murmur may often be raised, by a gradual swell, into a more or less musical hum, such as is yielded by a child's humming-top. I propose to denominate this the Venous Hum; for..this is..more intelligible than noise of the devil, by which term, derived from a plaything known to few, M. Bouillaud has designated the hum in question.
1876 F. T. Roberts Handbk. Med. (ed. 2) 433 Venous hum... This is the only venous murmur..likely to be met with.
1891 F. Taylor Man. Pract. Med. (ed. 2) 677 If the stethoscope be placed over the lower end of the jugular vein..a continuous humming or rushing noise will be heard, which has been called the venous hum, or bruit de diable.
1907 H. S. Anders Physical Diagnosis xiv. 346 The venous hum or bruit de diable heard over the jugulars.
1960 J. S. Butterworth et al. Cardiac Auscultation (ed. 2) ix. 81 The venous hum is usually heard only in the upright position.
1960 J. S. Butterworth et al. Cardiac Auscultation (ed. 2) ix. 81 The hum will disappear with finger compression of the jugular veins.
d. Electronics. Usually without a or plural. Unwanted low-frequency variations in current or voltage (the cause of which is usually the alternating frequency of the mains) which will give rise in a loudspeaker to a steady humming sound; the sound so produced.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electronics > electronic phenomena > signal > [noun] > unwanted part of signal > types of
stray1901
atmospherics1905
static1905
pickup1925
ambient noise1926
background1927
ground noise1929
hum1929
Johnson noise1929
microphonic1929
thermal noise1930
parasitic1943
flicker noise1947
overhang1971
1929 K. Henney Princ. Radio xvi. 406 A hum output of 44 millivolts.
1934 J. H. Reyner Television viii. 90 The hum appears as a series of black bands moving slowly across the screen.
1950 A. Marcus Radio Servicing xv. 714 An antenna that is too close and parallel to a power line may pick up hum by induction.
1966 R. King Electr. Noise i. 3 Mains hum..may be generated from cathodes of thermionic valves heated by alternating current or by electromagnetic induction from near by mains frequency transformers and chokes.
2.
a. An inarticulate vocal murmur uttered with closed lips in a pause of speaking, from hesitation, embarrassment, or affectation. Usually in hums and ha's (also haws): see ha n.2, haw int.1 and n.4
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > defective or inarticulate speech > [noun] > stammer or stammering > sound or form used in
hum1469
hick1607
ha1612
hack1660
haw-haw1838
hesitation-form1933
1469 J. Paston in Paston Lett. & Papers (2004) I. 541 He wold haue gotyn it aweye by hummys and by hays. But I wold not so be answeryd.
?1499 J. Skelton Bowge of Courte (de Worde) sig. Avv Wyth whom and ha and with a croked loke.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Winter's Tale (1623) ii. i. 76 These Shrugs, these Hum's, and Ha's. View more context for this quotation
1711 R. Steele Spectator No. 32. ⁋1 There were many very proper Hums and Pauses in his Harangue.
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones III. viii. v. 180 After some Hesitation, and many Hums and Ha's . View more context for this quotation
1852 R. S. Surtees Mr. Sponge's Sporting Tour v. xxv. 138 After sundry ‘hums’, ‘indeeds’, ‘sos’, &c.
b. A similar sound uttered as an expression of applause or approbation, or of mild surprise or dissent.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > applause > [noun] > applause by humming
hum1653
1653 Noctes Hibernæ i. 8 The greatest praise unto the Preacher comes From the Attentive Hearer's tears, not humnes.
1687 in J. R. Bloxham Magdalen Coll. & James II (1886) (modernized text) 134 Whereupon there was a tumultuous hum, or acclamation, made by the bystanders.
a1859 T. B. Macaulay Hist. Eng. (1871) II. xxiii. 641 The hum with which William's speech had been received, and the hiss which had drowned the voice of Seymour.
1877 T. A. Trollope Peep behind Scenes xix. 277 There arose a little hum of approbation from all present.
c. A singing in a low tone with the lips closed, without articulation; an indistinct murmur.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > other vocal sounds > [noun] > humming
humblingc1384
hum1630
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > singing > [noun] > humming
hum1630
humming1711
1630 B. Jonson New Inne iii. ii Lord B. Would I could charm her! Host. Trundle will do it with his hum.
1711 E. Ward Life Don Quixote v. xx. 381 No sooner did the Goat-herds find, Antonio by his Hum inclin'd To sing a Song.
1751 S. Whatley England's Gazetteer at Elmhurst An eccho, which returns a hum, or clap with the hands..10 or 12 times.
II. Senses relating to liquor.† 3. A kind of liquor; strong or double ale. Cf. humming adj. 2b. Obsolete.attributive.1629 J. Shirley Wedding ii Sold For physic in hum-glasses and thimbles.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > ale or beer > ale > [noun] > strong ale
merry-go-downa1500
king's ale1574
nippitatum1576
angels' food1577
huff-cap1577
mad dog1577
lift-leg1587
barley-broth1593
huma1625
stitchback1671
bummocka1688
hum-cap1699
Burton1738
stitch1742
old boy1743
barley-bree1786
huff1790
Morocco1792
old1884
a1625 J. Fletcher Wild-goose Chase (1652) ii. iii. 21 Would I had some Hum.
1631 B. Jonson Divell is Asse i. i. 114 in Wks. II Strong-waters, Hum, Meath, and Obarni.
1670 Cotton Voy. Ireland The best Cheshire hum he e'er drank in his life.
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Hum, or Humming Liquor, Double Ale, Stout, Pharoah.
1719 T. D'Urfey Wit & Mirth I. 311 To get us stout Hum when Christmas is come.
Compounds
hum-bucking coil n. [buck v.6] Electronics a coil arranged so as to cancel the hum in another coil by providing a signal of the opposite phase.
ΘΚΠ
the world > matter > physics > electromagnetic radiation > electronics > electronic devices or components > [noun] > inductance coil
inductance coil1902
inductance1908
variometer1908
honeycomb coil1921
inductor1928
hum-bucking coil1940
1940 Chambers's Techn. Dict. 425/1 Hum-bucking coil.
1950 A. Marcus Radio Servicing xv. 715 Some loudspeakers, especially of the electrodynamic type, have hum-bucking coils.
1967 P. Spring Tape Recorders vii. 90 The hum-bucking coil..picks up hum in opposite phase to the hum picked up by the head and of such magnitude that the two hum signals cancel.
ΘΚΠ
the world > food and drink > drink > intoxicating liquor > ale or beer > ale > [noun] > strong ale
merry-go-downa1500
king's ale1574
nippitatum1576
angels' food1577
huff-cap1577
mad dog1577
lift-leg1587
barley-broth1593
huma1625
stitchback1671
bummocka1688
hum-cap1699
Burton1738
stitch1742
old boy1743
barley-bree1786
huff1790
Morocco1792
old1884
1699 B. E. New Dict. Canting Crew Hum-cap, old, mellow and very strong Beer.
hum-note n. a musical note of the character of a hum.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > musical sound > [noun] > note or tone > hum-note
hum-note1896
1896 Pall Mall Mag. Sept. 155 The hum-note of this great bell was too deep for a scientific test.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
humn.2
1. A piece of humbug; an imposition, a hoax. (slang or colloquial.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > cheating, fraud > trickery, playing jokes > [noun] > a trick, prank, hoax
pratOE
mowa1393
pageant?c1430
jimp?1572
prank1576
jest1578
jig1592
frump1593
trick1605
bilk1664
fun1699
plisky1706
humbug1750
hum1751
practical joke1751
marlock1763
quiz1795
practical joke1804
skite1804
hoax1808
skit1815
wrinkle1817
rusty1835
funny business1838
string1851
stringer1851
cod1862
mank1865
spoof1889
leg-pull1893
rannygazoo1896
shenanigan1926
gotcha1967
to throw a fastball1968
wind-up1984
1751 ‘T. Whistle’ Let. 3 May in Student 2 No. 8. 288 What a delightful Hum had we about a poor man's getting into a Quart-Bottle.
1753 Garrick in Scots Mag. Oct. 517/2 'Twas all a hum.
1799 S. T. Coleridge Lett. (1895) 270 The Bristol Library is a hum, and will do us little service.
1841 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. 50 415 Is Homer a hum, and the Iliad a hoax?
1885 Punch 5 Sept. 114/2 Political honesty's all a big hum.
2. A persistent borrower, a scrounger. Australian slang.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > acquisition > [noun] > one who obtains or acquires > by irregular means
motha1387
sorner1449
sucker?a1513
prowler1519
miligant1568
parasite1821
dog robber1832
ear-biter1855
moocher1857
schnorrer1875
toucher1896
scunge1900
scrounger1909
mooch1914
hum1919
hummer1919
hot-stuffer1929
scrounge1937
joyrider1990
1919 V. Marshall World of Living Dead The ‘hum’, the unskilled derelict or derelict-to-be who stands upon the ‘pub’ corner kerb, ‘bites’ all and sundry, and, at regular intervals, succeeds in getting lumbered for ‘vag’.
1953 ‘Caddie’ Sydney Barmaid xxxiii. 183 The speciality of the hum is the lone drunk.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online March 2019).
humn.3
/hʌm/, U.S. /həm/ slang.
A disagreeable smell.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > fetor > [noun] > fetid smells
stenchc893
reekeOE
weffea1300
stink1382
fise14..
smeek?c1425
fist1440
fetorc1450
stew1487
moisture1542
putor1565
pouant1602
funk1606
graveolence1623
hogo1654
whiff1668
fogo1794
stythe1823
malodour1825
pen and ink1859
body scent1875
pong1900
niffa1903
hum1906
taint1927
honk1953
bowf1985
stank1996
1906 E. Dyson Fact'ry 'Ands xv. 197 Ther hum iv it was so fearful..Killin' cats is rotten luck.
1927 W. E. Collinson Contemp. Eng. 23 An awful pong or hum.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1976; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
humn.4
/hjuːm/ Physical Geography.
A small, usually conical, hill characteristic of karst topography.
ΘΚΠ
the world > the earth > land > landscape > high land > hill > [noun] > round or conical
lowOE
lawa1400
sugar-loafa1691
kettle-bottom1746
loma1849
morne1889
pepino1899
hum1921
1921 Geogr. Rev. 11 602 (caption) General view of a polje strewn with hums.
1921 Geogr. Rev. 11 604 The former limestone mass being represented by isolated fragments which Cvijic calls ‘hums’.
1937 S. W. Wooldridge & R. S. Morgan Physical Basis Geogr. xix. 289 Residual limestone masses or hummocks rising above polje floors are called ‘hums’.
1971 B. W. Sparks Rocks & Relief v. 204 The interfluvial areas are finally reduced to little hillocks known as hums.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1976; most recently modified version published online June 2018).
humv.1
/hʌm/, U.S. /həm/ 1. intransitive. To make a low continuous murmuring sound or note, as a bee or other insect; also said of a top or wheel in rapid rotation, a bell vibrating after being struck, etc.
ΘΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > continuous or protracted sound > [verb (intransitive)] > monotonous sound > hum
humc1420
boomc1440
sum?1440
bum1499
humble1617
spin1851
zoon1880
reel1899
c1420 Pallad. on Husb. vii. 124 Yf that they [bees] humme.
1574 J. Baret Aluearie H 662 To Humme like a bee, bombilo.
1644 K. Digby Two Treat. i. xxviii. 256 Trembling bells..humme a great while longer then others.
1774 O. Goldsmith Hist. Earth VIII. 157 The gnat..is sometimes heard to hum about our beds at night.
1783 G. Crabbe Village i. 16 The dull wheel hums doleful through the day.
1887 C. Bowen tr. Virgil Eclogues vii, in tr. Virgil in Eng. Verse 46 Bees cluster and hum.
1924 Foundry (Cleveland) 1 Apr. 63 (advt.) The wheels surely are humming in the foundries.
1937 P. G. Wodehouse Lord Emsworth & Others ix. 299 We buzzed on through the pleasant countryside... The engine of the two-seater hummed smoothly.
1972 Daily Tel. 23 Mar. 21/2 Computers hummed and slide rules flashed as City analysts tried to come to grips with the new corporation tax yesterday.
2. transitive.1678 S. Butler Hudibras: Third Pt. iii. ii. 160 [You] never Hum'd, and Hah'd Sedition.a1680 S. Butler Genuine Remains (1759) II. 103 A fifth-monarchy man..humms and hahs high Treason.
a. intransitive. To make a low inarticulate vocal sound; esp. to utter such a sound in expression of dissent or dissatisfaction, or †of approbation or applause.
ΘΠ
the mind > emotion > suffering > displeasure > discontent or dissatisfaction > state of complaining > complain [verb (intransitive)]
murkeOE
misspeakOE
yomer971
chidea1000
murkenOE
grutch?c1225
mean?a1300
hum13..
plainta1325
gruntc1325
plainc1325
musea1382
murmurc1390
complain1393
contrary1393
flitec1400
pinea1425
grummec1430
aggrudge1440
hoinec1440
mutterc1450
grudge1461
channerc1480
grunch1487
repine1529
storm?1553
expostulate1561
grumblea1586
gruntle1591
chunter1599
swagger1599
maunder1622
orp1634
objurgate1642
pitter1672
yelp1706
yammer1794
natter1804
murgeon1808
groan1816
squawk1875
jower1879
grouse1887
beef1888
to whip the cat1892
holler1904
yip1907
peeve1912
grouch1916
nark1916
to sound off1918
create1919
moana1922
crib1925
tick1925
bitch1930
gripe1932
bind1942
drip1942
kvetchc1950
to rag on1979
wrinch2011
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > other vocal sounds > [verb (intransitive)] > hum > in disapproval
hum13..
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > other vocal sounds > [verb (intransitive)] > hum > in approval
hum1779
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > applause > applaud [verb (intransitive)] > by humming
hum1779
13.. Erkenwald 281 in Horstmann Altengl. Leg. (1881) 272 Þen hummyd he þat þer lay..And gefe a gronynge.
?1533 G. Du Wes Introductorie for to lerne Frenche sig. Dii v A chorle hommeth or grudgeth.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Macbeth (1623) iii. vi. 43 The clowdy Messenger..hums; as who should say, you'l rue the time That clogges me with this Answer. View more context for this quotation
1687 in J. R. Bloxham Magdalen Coll. & James II (1886) (modernized text) 142 Upon which the Rabble hummed.
1779 S. Johnson Sprat in Pref. Wks. Eng. Poets IV. 12 When the preacher touched any favourite topick in a manner that delighted his audience, their approbation was expressed by a loud hum, continued in proportion to their zeal or pleasure. When Burnet preached, part of his congregation hummed so loudly and so long, that he sat down to enjoy it.
1893 ‘J. S. Winter’ Aunt Johnnie II. 93 He hum'd at the cutlets and he pshaw'd at the salad.
b. To sing with closed lips without articulation.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > singing > sing [verb (intransitive)] > hum
humc1485
tune1755
noodle1897
c1485 Digby Myst. (1882) iii. 1226 I home and I hast, I do þat I may, With mery tvne þe trebyll to syng.
1646 F. Hawkins tr. Youths Behaviour (ed. 4) 2 Sing not within thy mouth, humming to thy selfe, unlesse thou be alone.
1899 N.E.D. at Hum Mod. She was singing, or rather humming, in a low tone.
c. To make an inarticulate murmur in a pause of speaking, from hesitation, embarrassment, etc. Usually in to hum and ha (haw): see ha v., haw v.1
ΘΠ
the mind > language > speech > defective or inarticulate speech > speak inarticulately or with a defect [verb (intransitive)] > stammer or speak hesitantly
stammerc1000
wlaffe1025
stotec1325
humc1374
mafflea1387
stut1388
rattlea1398
famble14..
mammera1425
drotec1440
falterc1440
stackerc1440
hem1470
wallowa1475
tattle1481
mant1506
happer1519
trip1526
hobblea1529
hack1553
stagger1565
faffle1570
stutter1570
hem and hawk1588
ha1604
hammer1619
titubate1623
haw1632
fork1652
hacker1652
lispc1680
hesitate1706
balbutiate1731
haffle1790
hotter1828
stutter1831
ah1853
catch1889
c1374 G. Chaucer Troilus & Criseyde ii. 1150 (1199) Al rosy hewed tho woxe she, And gan to hum.
1530 J. Palsgrave Lesclarcissement 588/2 He hummeth and haeth and wyll nat come out withall.
a1616 W. Shakespeare Troilus & Cressida (1623) i. iii. 165 Hum [1609 hem], and stroke thy Beard.
1632 P. Massinger & N. Field Fatall Dowry iv. sig. H4 D'ee stand Humming and hawing now?
1749 H. Fielding Tom Jones III. viii. xi. 251 Don't stand humming and hawing, but speak out. View more context for this quotation
1862 T. Carlyle Hist. Friedrich II of Prussia III. xiii. ii. 439 Robinson apologetically hums and hahs.
3. To give forth an indistinct sound by the blending of many voices, etc.; hence (colloquial) to be in a condition of busy activity, to be all astir. to make things (or something specified) hum: to bring to such a condition, to liven things up.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > faintness or weakness > sound faintly or quietly [verb (intransitive)] > make murmuring sounds
murmurc1395
croona1500
mustle1570
mute1570
simmera1637
hummer1691
remurmur1697
hum1730
mummer1763
whimper?1795
mutter1797
brum1844
rumour1894
the world > action or operation > undertaking > beginning action or activity > begin or enter upon (an action) [verb (transitive)] > stir up or rouse up
stirc1000
aweccheOE
stirc1175
arear?c1225
awakec1315
amovec1330
araisec1374
wake1398
wakenc1400
to stir upa1500
incend?1504
to firk upc1540
bestir1549
store1552
bustlea1555
tickle1567
solicitate1568
to stir one's taila1572
exsuscitate1574
rouse1574
suscitate1598
accite1600
actuate1603
arousea1616
poach1632
roust1658
to shake up1850
to galvanize to or into life1853
to make things (or something specified) hum1884
to jack up1914
rev1945
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > act or do vigorously [verb (intransitive)] > be brisk or active
wakec897
stir?c1225
whippet1540
to let the grass grow under one's feet (also heels)a1556
jetty1570
hum1884
the world > action or operation > manner of action > vigour or energy > act or do vigorously [verb (intransitive)] > be brisk or active > be full of brisk activity
bustle1774
bristle1844
hum1889
jumpc1938
1730 J. Thomson Winter in Seasons 218 The city swarms intense. The publick haunt..warm with mixt discourse, Hums indistinct.
1814 Ld. Byron Corsair iii. xviii. 88 The haven hums with many a cheering sound.
1842 Ld. Tennyson St. Simeon Stylites in Poems (new ed.) II. 55 I scarce can hear the people hum About the column's base.
1884 ‘M. Twain’ Adventures Huckleberry Finn xxii. 194 He lit into that horse with his whip and made him fairly hum.
1887 M. Roberts Western Avernus iii. 34 The owner of the farm..came home, and, in American parlance, ‘fairly made things hum’.
1889 Pall Mall Gaz. 15 July 1/3 [In] the expressive nomenclature of the Far West, Hong-kong ‘just hums’ all the time.
1893 R. Kipling Many Inventions 29 The whole country was humming with dacoits.
1898 Daily News 11 Jan. 5/1 The report that he had plenty of money, and would make things hum at the club.
1902 E. Banks Autobiogr. Newspaper Girl xviii. 205 We took you on this paper to help us make things hum! I understand you made things hum over in England.
1906 Nation (N.Y.) 18 Jan. 44 The colleges are making athletic reform hum, as if to make up for lost time.
1911 E. M. Clowes On Wallaby x. 265 But still things are, as the American would express it, ‘beginning to hum’ in the irrigation line.
1914 G. Atherton Perch of Devil i. xxx I want money to spend in Butte,..and make things hum.
1922 H. Walpole Cathedral i. vii. 135 I hardly need to tell you that he's not quite the man to make things hum.
1966 ‘J. Hackston’ Father clears Out 107 By gum! Wouldn't it just make things hum?
1973 Times 16 Jan. 17/7 Our view is that if you get the logistics right and do get concentration of the best modern equipment you can really get something humming in the 1974 period.
4.
a. transitive. To utter with humming; to sing with closed lips and without articulation.
ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > singing > sing [verb (transitive)] > hum
hum1602
sough1711
sowff1719
sowth?1784
teedle?a1800
thruma1845
noodle1897
1602 J. Marston Antonios Reuenge v. iii. sig. I3v One giues nods & hums, what he would speake.
1710 J. Addison Tatler No. 157. ⁋7 Then [she] would hum over Two or Three Notes.
1808 W. Scott Marmion i. ii. 24 Low humming..Some ancient Border gathering song.
1841 C. Dickens Old Curiosity Shop i. xv. 173 The bees..hummed forth their drowsy satisfaction.
b. to hum and ha: see after 2c.
ΘΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > disapprove of [verb (transitive)] > express disapproval of > by sound or exclamation
hootc1175
to clap out1550
explose?c1550
explode1563
hiss1598
exsibilate1601
to hum up, down1642
out-hiss1647
chuckle1681
catcall1700
scrape1773
groan1799
to get the (big) bird1825
boo1833
fie-fie1836
goose1838
sibilate1864
cluck1916
bird1927
slow handclap1949
tsk-tsk1966
tut1972
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > other vocal sounds > [verb (transitive)] > hum in approval or disapproval > greet with
hum1642
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > other vocal sounds > [verb (transitive)] > hum in approval or disapproval
to hum up, down1733
the mind > attention and judgement > esteem > approval or sanction > commendation or praise > applause > applaud [verb (transitive)] > by humming
to hum up, down1733
1642 J. Milton Apol. Smectymnuus 46 Such as are most humm'd and applauded there.
1682 ‘T. Rationalis’ New News from Bedlam 43 By canting and ranting I'le hum all their Gigs.
1692 tr. Sallust Wks. 42 All humm'd him down and call'd him Enemy and Parricide.
1733 Revol. Politicks iii. 55 Here the whole Council humm'd him up, and approved of the same.
6. To bring (into a specified state) by humming.
ΘΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > continuous or protracted sound > [verb (transitive)] > monotonous sound > hum
hum1821
1821 J. Clare Village Minstrel II. 181 The busy bee hath humm'd himself to rest.
1871 J. C. Jeaffreson Ann. Oxf. II. iii. 24 Such ‘hummers’, as those who hummed James the First into good contentment with himself.
Derivatives
hummed adj. /hʌmd/ (in sense 4).
/hʌmd/ (in sense 4).ΘΚΠ
society > leisure > the arts > music > performing music > singing > [adjective] > hummed
hummed1849
1849 H. Mayo On Truths Pop. Superstit. (1851) 156 Singing the words to M. de Puységur's mentally hummed air.
1898 Blackwood's Edinb. Mag. Mar. 338/2 A hummed song of the country.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
humv.2
archaic.
1. transitive. To impose upon, hoax, take in, humbug. (slang or colloquial.)
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > cheating, fraud > trickery, playing jokes > trick, hoax [verb (transitive)]
jape1362
bejape1377
play1562
jugglea1592
dally1595
trick1595
bore1602
jadea1616
to fool off1631
top1663
whiska1669
hocus1675
to put a sham upon1677
sham1677
fun?1685
to put upon ——1687
rig1732
humbug1750
hum1751
to run a rig1764
hocus-pocus1774
cram1794
hoax1796
kid1811
string1819
to play off1821
skylark1823
frisk1825
stuff1844
lark1848
kiddy1851
soap1857
to play it (on)1864
spoof1889
to slip (something) over (on)1912
cod1941
to pull a person's chain1975
game1996
1751 ‘T. Whistle’ Let. 3 May in Student 2 No. 8. 288 How were people of learning and good understanding hum'd out of their money and judgment.
1751 ‘T. Whistle’ Let. 3 May in Student 2 No. 8. 290 Pray let them be hum'd if you please.
1765 Meritriciad 26 She hums by turns, the Vet'ran, and the Fop.
1782 F. Burney Lett. to S. Crisp Aug. You and I know better than to hum or be hummed in that manner.
1805 W. Hunter in Naval Chron. 13 24 Admiral Saunders had hummed me about my promotion.
a1845 T. Hood Spring i How couldst thou thus poor human nature hum?
2. transitive and intransitive. To borrow (without any intention of returning); to scrounge. Australian slang.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > possession > acquisition > obtain or acquire [verb (transitive)] > obtain or acquire in a certain way > by irregular means
miswinc1400
sorn1563
shirk1635
sponge1676
whizzle1787
mooch1865
honeyfuggle1905
hot-stuff1914
scrounge1917
hum1918
ponce1938
organize1941
bludge1944
1918 Aussie: Austral. Soldiers' Mag. Sept. 4/2 Don't shout cigarettes, hum them.
1925 E. Fraser & J. Gibbons Soldier & Sailor Words 122 To hum, to cadge.
1935 Bulletin (Sydney) 30 Jan. 21/4 Where other 'Bidgee whalers ‘hummed’ a town for booze, Mick ‘hummed’ it for tea, going from house to house with his plea: ‘Missus, could y' spring a cup o' tea?’
1938 X. Herbert Capricornia (1939) xviii. 234 Gertch—you old blowbag! You're only humming for a drink. Nick off home.
Derivatives
ˈhumming n.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > mental capacity > knowledge > conformity with what is known, truth > deceit, deception, trickery > cheating, fraud > trickery, playing jokes > [noun]
legerdemain1532
hocus-pocus1647
sham1683
funning1728
humbugging1752
humming1807
hoaxing1808
larking1813
cutting-up1843
cut-up1843
shenanigan1855
codology1860
greening1863
cod1866
leg-pulling1879
spoof1889
codding1892
spoofery1895
four-flushing1901
kidding1901
shenaniganning1924
kidology1964
1807 M. Pennington Life E. Carter I. 32 That species of false wit which is now called quizzing and was formerly known by the equally barbarous term of humming.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online June 2022).
humv.3
/hʌm/, U.S. /həm/ slang.
intransitive. To smell disagreeably.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > smell and odour > fetor > stink [verb (intransitive)]
stinkc725
stenchc950
to-stinka1382
smella1400
savour?1440
stew1563
reek1609
funk1694
pen-and-ink1892
whiff1899
niff1900
hum1902
pong1906
honk1959
1902 C. H. E. Brookfield Random Reminisc. xi. 200 The burglar..finds a piece of Camembert cheese in the buffet, and exclaims: ‘Lor’! it do 'um!’
1927 W. E. Collinson Contemp. Eng. 23 Things didn't smell, but ponged, niffed or hummed.
1946 I. L. Idriess In Crocodile Land xvi. 111 The abos certainly did ‘hum’.
1970 Daily Tel. 31 Oct. 1/3 When the wind drops this stuff really hums.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1933; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
humint.
/həm/ An inarticulate exclamation uttered with the lips closed, either in a pause of hesitation or embarrassment, or as expressing slight dissatisfaction, dissent, etc. (Cf. hem int., h'm int., um int.)
ΘΠ
the mind > attention and judgement > contempt > disapproval > expressions of disapproval [interjection]
fie1297
avoyc1300
spyc1315
comec1450
tuta1529
oh1533
hum1598
rufty-tufty1606
aroint thee!1608
hoot1681
boo1778
hoots1824
boo hoo1825
now, now1847
aw1852
tch1898
tsk1947
the mind > language > speech > defective or inarticulate speech > utterance expressing hesitation [interjection]
hum1598
ha1609
haw1679
ahem1763
haw-haw1834
h'm1854
uh1962
1598 W. Shakespeare Henry IV, Pt. 1 iii. i. 154 I cried hum..But markt him not a word. View more context for this quotation
a1616 W. Shakespeare Merry Wives of Windsor (1623) iii. v. 128 Hum: ha? Is this a vision? View more context for this quotation
1846 E. Bulwer-Lytton Lucretia I. i. Prol. 8 Hum! do you still miss your mother?
1856 C. Dickens Little Dorrit (1857) i. xxxi. 279 I have a—hum—a spirit, sir, that will not endure it.
This entry has not yet been fully updated (first published 1899; most recently modified version published online June 2018).
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n.11469
n.21751n.31906n.41921v.113..v.21751v.31902
int.1598