adjective covered with a gummy substance.
Origin of gummed late Middle English word dating back to
1400–50; see origin at
gum1 ,
-ed2 Related forms un·gummed , adjective noun any of various viscid, amorphous exudations from plants, hardening on exposure to air and soluble in or forming a viscid mass with water.
any of various similar exudations, as resin.
a preparation of such a substance, as for use in the arts or bookbinding.
mucilage; glue.
Philately the adhesive by which a postage stamp is affixed. Compare o.g.(def 1) . Informal a rubber overshoe or boot.
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verb (used with object), gummed, gum·ming. to smear, stiffen, or stick together with gum.
to clog with or as if with some gummy substance.
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verb (used without object), gummed, gum·ming. to exude or form gum.
to become gummy.
to become clogged with a gummy substance.
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Verb Phrases gum up , Slang to spoil or ruin.
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Origin of gum 1 1350–1400; Middle English gomme < Old French < Vulgar Latin *gumma, for Latin gummi, cummi < Greek kómmi
Related forms gum·less , adjective gum·like , adjective noun Often gums. Also called gingiva . the firm, fleshy tissue covering the alveolar parts of either jaw and enveloping the necks of the teeth. Show More
verb (used with object), gummed, gum·ming. to masticate (food) with the gums instead of teeth.
to shape or renew the teeth of (a saw), as by grinding.
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Origin of gum 2 1275–1325; Middle English gome, Old English gōma palate; akin to Old Norse gōmr, German Gaumen palate
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2019
Related Words for gummed gummy ,
sticky ,
daub ,
glue ,
paste ,
smudge ,
plug ,
shut ,
secure ,
isolate ,
stop ,
enclose ,
close ,
bind ,
fix ,
connect ,
seal ,
bite ,
gnaw ,
nibble Examples from the Web for gummed Historical Examples of gummed This was the finger that had been gummed to bits by the Mekstrom infant back in Homestead.
Before starting, every broken seam and hole must be gummed over.
When I got that portmanteau back they were all there, gummed in, just as I had left them.
After twenty or so are fixed, the first one gummed down can be finished off.
Pen and ink, cards, gummed labels or tags are put under your nose.
British Dictionary definitions for gummed noun any of various sticky substances that exude from certain plants, hardening on exposure to air and dissolving or forming viscous masses in water
any of various products, such as adhesives, that are made from such exudates
any sticky substance used as an adhesive; mucilage; glue
mainly British a gumdrop
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verb gums , gumming or gummed to cover or become covered, clogged, or stiffened with or as if with gum
(tr) to stick together or in place with gum
(intr) to emit or form gum
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Derived Forms gumless , adjective gumlike , adjective Word Origin for gum C14: from Old French gomme, from Latin gummi, from Greek kommi, from Egyptian kemai
noun the fleshy tissue that covers the jawbones around the bases of the teeth Technical name: gingiva Related adjective: gingival
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Word Origin for gum Old English gōma jaw; related to Old Norse gōmr, Middle High German gūme, Lithuanian gomurīs
noun used in the mild oath by gum!
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Word Origin for gum C19: euphemism for God
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
Word Origin and History for gummed n.1 "resin," c.1300, from Old French gome "(medicinal) gum, resin," from Late Latin gumma , from Latin gummi , from Greek kommi "gum," from Egyptian kemai . As a shortened form of chewing gum , first attested 1842 in American English. The gum tree (1670s) was so called for the resin it exudes.
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n.2 "membranes of the mouth," Old English goma "palate, side of the mouth" (single or plural), from a Germanic source represented by Old Norse gomi "palate," Old High German goumo ; related to Lithuanian gomurys "palate," and perhaps from PIE *gheu- "to yawn" (cf. Greek khaos ; see chaos ).
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v. early 14c., gommen , "treat with (medicinal or aromatic) gums," from gum (n.1). In the transferred or figurative sense of "spoil, ruin" (usually with up ), it is first recorded 1901, probably from the notion of machinery becoming clogged. Of infants, etc., "to chew or gnaw (something) with the gums," by 1907, from gum (n.2). Related: Gummed ; gumming .
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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Any of various sticky substances that are produced by certain plants and trees and dry into brittle solids soluble in water. Gums typically are colloidal mixtures of polysaccharides and mineral salts.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
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