D defs.my
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Entry 15 senses · 4 variants Webster, 1913

Hum

/(hŭm)/ · IPA /ˈhʌm/
01 v. i. To make a low, prolonged sound, like that of a bee in flight; to drone; to murmur; to buzz; as, a top hums.
imp. & p. p. Hummed; p. pr. & vb. n. Humming
  1. 1.
    To make a low, prolonged sound, like that of a bee in flight; to drone; to murmur; to buzz; as, a top hums.
    “Still humming on, their drowsy course they keep.” — Pope.
  2. 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. 3.
    To make an inarticulate sound, like h'm, through the nose in the process of speaking, from embarrassment or a affectation; to hem.
  4. 4.
    To express satisfaction by a humming noise.
    “Here the spectators hummed.” — Trial of the Regicides.
  5. 5.
    To have the sensation of a humming noise; as, my head hums, -- a pathological condition.
02 v. t. To sing with shut mouth; to murmur without articulation; to mumble; as, to hum a tune.
  1. 1.
    To sing with shut mouth; to murmur without articulation; to mumble; as, to hum a tune.
  2. 2.
    To express satisfaction with by humming.
  3. 3.
    To flatter by approving; to cajole; to impose on; to humbug.[Colloq. & Low]
03 n. A low monotonous noise, as of bees in flight, of a swiftly revolving top, of a wheel, or the like; a drone; a buzz.
  1. 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. 2.
    Any inarticulate and buzzing sound
    “But 'midst the crowd, the hum, the shock of men.” — Byron.
  3. 3.
    A buzz or murmur, as of approbation.
  4. 4.
    An imposition or hoax.
  5. 5.
    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.
  6. 6.
    A kind of strong drink formerly used.[Obs.]
Phrases & compounds
Venous hum — See under Venous.
04 interj. Ahem; hem; an inarticulate sound uttered in a pause of speech implying doubt and deliberation.
  1. 1.
    Ahem; hem; an inarticulate sound uttered in a pause of speech implying doubt and deliberation.