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gum

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The definition of gum is a sticky plant secretion, or something sticky, or the flesh at the base of the teeth.

(noun)

An example of gum is a sticky ooze from a tree.
An example of gum is Trident.
An example of the gum is the area of the mouth that becomes sore if you have to have a tooth pulled.

Gum is defined as to stick together with an adhesive, to become sticky, or to chew without teeth.

(verb)

An example of gum is to put a stamp on an envelope; to gum the stamp.
An example of gum is for a branch to get sticky from residue that flows out of a wound or slit in the tree; to gum up.
An example of gum is for a baby to chew up soft baby food; to gum their food.

See gum in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun

a sticky, colloidal carbohydrate found in certain trees and plants, which dries into an uncrystallized, brittle mass that dissolves or swells in water
any similar plant secretion, as resin
any plant gum processed for use in industry, art, etc.
1. an adhesive, as on the back of a postage stamp
2. any of various sticky or viscous substances or deposits
1. gum tree
2. the wood of a gum tree
Now Rare
1. pure rubber
2. ☆ rubber overshoes
☆ chewing gum
☆ Dialectal a hollowed gum log used as a trough, etc.

Origin: ME gomme < OFr < LL gumma < L gummi, cummi < Gr kommi < Egypt qmyt

transitive verb gummed, gumming

to coat, unite, or stiffen with gum

intransitive verb

to secrete or form gum
to become sticky or clogged

noun

the firm flesh covering the jaws on the inside of the mouth and surrounding the base of the teeth

Origin: ME gome < OE goma, akin to Ger gaumen, roof of the mouth < IE base *ghēu-, *ghōu-, to yawn, gape > Gr chaos

transitive verb gummed, gumming

to bite or chew with toothless gums

See gum in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun

a. Any of various viscous substances that are exuded by certain plants and trees and dry into water-soluble, noncrystalline, brittle solids.
b. A similar plant exudate, such as a resin.
c. Any of various adhesives made from such exudates or other sticky substance.
A substance resembling the viscous substance exuded by certain plants, as in stickiness.
a. Any of various trees of the genera Eucalyptus, Liquidambar, or Nyssa that are sources of gum. Also called gum tree.
b. The wood of such a tree; gumwood.
Chewing gum.

verb gummed gummed, gum·ming, gums

verb, transitive

To cover, smear, seal, fill, or fix in place with or as if with gum.

verb, intransitive

To exude or form gum.
To become sticky or clogged.

Phrasal Verb: gum up To ruin or bungle: gum up the works.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English gomme

Origin: , from Old French

Origin: , from Late Latin gumma

Origin: , variant of Latin gummi, cummi

Origin: , from Greek kommi

Origin: , perhaps from Egyptian ḳmj-t

noun

The firm connective tissue covered by mucous membrane that envelops the alveolar arches of the jaw and surrounds the bases of the teeth. Also called gingiva.

transitive verb gummed gummed, gum·ming, gums

To chew (food) with toothless gums.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English gome

Origin: , from Old English gōma, palate, jaw

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