gum Hear it!

gum¹ Definition

gum (gum)

noun

  1. a sticky, colloidal carbohydrate found in certain trees and plants, which dries into an uncrystallized, brittle mass that dissolves or swells in water
  2. any similar plant secretion, as resin
  3. 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
  4. Now Rare
    1. pure rubber
    2. ☆ rubber overshoes
  5. chewing gum
  6. Dialectal a hollowed gum log used as a trough, etc.

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

transitive verb gummed, gum·ming

to coat, unite, or stiffen with gum

intransitive verb

  1. to secrete or form gum
  2. to become sticky or clogged

gum¹ Idioms

by gum!

Informal by God!: a euphemism

gum up

Slang to put out of working order; cause to go awry

gum² Definition

gum (gum; esp. formerly, go̵̅o̅m)

noun

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

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

transitive verb gummed, gum·ming

to bite or chew with toothless gums

gum² Idioms

beat one's gums

Slang to talk much and idly

gum Synonyms

gum

n.

  1. resin, glue, pitch, tar, pine tar, cohesive substance, rosin, amber, wax.

    Commercial gums include: chewing gum, sealing wax, rosin, mucilage, eucalyptus, caoutchouc, crude rubber, chicle, latex, gum arabic, gum acacia, wattle gum, Kordofan, British gum, cherry-gum, Sonora gum, gutta-percha, sweet gum, guar gum, mesquite gum, gum maguey, gum ledon.

  2. Varieties and flavors of chewing gum include: cinnamon, bubble gum, spearmint, peppermint, sugar-free, wintergreen, teaberry, licorice, fruit, pepsin.

gum Usage Examples

Converse of object

  • chew: I gave them a stick of chewing gum between them for their trouble.
  • bleed: Bleeding gums is usually a sign of gum disease.
  • inflame: Cats are very prone to inflamed gums ( gingivitis ).

Adjective modifier

  • sugar-free: Try some sugar-free gum, a glass of water, or keep yourself busy.
  • guar: Sixty-seven trials were identified: 25 trials of oat products; 17 of psyllium; 7 of pectin; and 18 of guar gum.
  • 2mg: In general, if the patient smokes 20 or less cigarettes a day, 2mg nicotine gum is indicated.
  • 4mg: You should not exceed 15 pieces of gum per day for either the 2mg or 4mg strength gum.
  • swollen: These may include poor memory and concentration, irritability and overactivity in children, swollen gums, acne and weight gain.

Modifies a noun

  • Arabic: True gum arabic is the product of Acacia Senegal, abundant in dry tropical west Africa from Senegal to northern Nigeria.
  • rosin: Here's the place chinese gum rosin to get involved.
  • tragacanth: If dry objects like foraminifera are loose, freshly made gum tragacanth may be used to secure them.
  • chewer: Gum chewers are unlikely to wander to the nearest ' fun ' poster which could be a few minutes walk away.
  • wrapper: Ya ' din ' hafta ' shoot ' at guy over a damn gum wrapper.
  • outsole: DESIGN: White slip on, with blue lines, durable gum rubber outsole.

Noun used with modifier

  • xanthan: Caramel ( E150 ) and xanthan gum ( E415 ) may be derived from maize.
  • guar: Results Soluble fiber from oat products, psyllium, pectin and guar gum lowered total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol by a small amount.
  • nicotine: Nicotine gum to stop smoking What is nicotine gum?
  • mastic: Mastic gum, a resin, comes from the sap of the mastic tree in the Mediterranean.
  • locust: Consumers are urged to check the labeling to see which contain the locust bean gum.
  • bah: The laughs never stop right up to the final " Ee bah gum!

Browse dictionary entries near gum

  1. gulp
  2. gulosity
  3. gully
  4. Gulliver's Travels
  5. gullible
  6. gullet
  7. Gullah
  8. gull
  9. gulfweed
  10. Gulf War syndrome
  1. gum ammoniac
  2. gum arabic
  3. gum elemi
  4. gum resin
  5. gum tree
  6. gum turpentine
  7. gumbo
  8. gumbo-limbo
  9. gumboil
  10. gumboot