bombinate

[bom-buh-neyt]

verb (used without object)

bombinated, bombinating 

1. to make a humming or buzzing noise.

bombinate

/ ˈbɒmbɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. Also (rare): bombilate. literary,  (intr) to make a buzzing noise

Other Word Forms

• bombination noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bombinate¹

First recorded in 1875–80; from New Latin bombinātus, past participle of bombināre, apparently coined by François Rabelais on the basis of Latin bombilāre “to hum, buzz,” from Greek bombyliázein, derivative of bómbos; bomb

Word History and Origins

Origin of bombinate¹

C19: from Latin bombināre , variant of bombilāre to buzz

Example Sentences

They appealed to him as a group of carefully tailored Abstractions bombinating mellifluously in a void.

From Project Gutenberg

V. roll, drum, rumble, rattle, clatter, patter, clack; bombinate†. hum, trill, shake; chime, peal, toll; tick, beat. drum in the ear, din in the ear.

From Project Gutenberg

Like his co-workers he had been somewhat stampeded by Dorn's imitative faculties, faculties which enabled the former journalist to bombinate twice as loud in a void three times as great as any of his colleagues.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• croon 
• moan 
• mumble 
• murmur 
• purr 
• sing 
• strum 
• throb 
• trill 
• warble 
• whisper