Word Direct Answers

What does "hum" mean?

Hum: 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.

Additional senses

  1. 2.Etym: [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.
  2. 3.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.
  3. 4.To have the sensation of a humming noise; as, my head hums, -- a pathological condition.
  4. 5.To sing with shut mouth; to murmur without articulation; to mumble; as, to hum a tune.
  5. 6.To express satisfaction with by humming.
  6. 7.To flatter by approving; to cajole; to impose on; to humbug. [Colloq. & Low]
  7. 8.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.
  8. 9.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.
  9. 10.An imposition or hoax.
  10. 11.Etym: [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.
  11. 12.Etym: [Perh. so called because strongly intoxicating.] A kind of strong drink formerly used. [Obs.] Beau. & Fl. Venous hum. See under Venous.
  12. 13.Ahem; hem; an inarticulate sound uttered in a pause of speech implying doubt and deliberation. Pope.

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