gum
gum (gum)
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.
- an adhesive, as on the back of a postage stamp
- any of various sticky or viscous substances or deposits
- gum tree
- the wood of a gum tree
- Now Rare
- pure rubber
- ☆ rubber overshoes
- ☆ chewing gum
- ☆ Dialectal a hollowed gum log used as a trough, etc.
Etymology: ME gomme < OFr < LL gumma < L gummi, cummi < Gr kommi < Egypt qmyt
intransitive verb
- to secrete or form gum
- to become sticky or clogged
by gum!
gum up
☆gum (gum; esp. formerly, go̵̅o̅m)
noun
Etymology: ME gome < OE goma, akin to Ger gaumen, roof of the mouth < IE base *ghēu-, *ghōu-, to yawn, gape > Gr chaos
beat one's gums
☆Webster's New World College Dictionary Copyright © 2009 by Wiley Publishing, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio.
Used by arrangement with John Wiley & Sons, Inc.
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