gum
1- 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.
- chewing gum.
- mucilage; glue.
- rubber1(def 1).
- gum tree.
- Philately. the adhesive by which a postage stamp is affixed.Compare o.g.(def 1).
- Informal. a rubber overshoe or boot.
- to smear, stiffen, or stick together with gum.
- to clog with or as if with some gummy substance.
- to exude or form gum.
- to become gummy.
- to become clogged with a gummy substance.
- gum up, Slang. to spoil or ruin.
- gum up the works. work(def 51).
Origin of gum
1gum
2- Often gums. Also called gingiva. the firm, fleshy tissue covering the alveolar parts of either jaw and enveloping the necks of the teeth.
- to masticate (food) with the gums instead of teeth.
- to shape or renew the teeth of (a saw), as by grinding.
- beat one's gums, Slang. to talk excessively or ineffectively.
Origin of gum
2Related Words for gums
paste, wax, amber, adhesive, plaster, cement, pitch, glue, mucilage, tar, rosin, exudate, resinExamples from the Web for gums
Contemporary Examples of gums
Or maybe we just need one of those bogus “alien invasions” that Paul Krugman is always flapping his gums about.
This One Picture of Telly Savalas Refutes All Fears That Progress Has EndedNick Gillespie
October 30, 2014
Lactobacillus reuteri LR-1 or LR-2 promote oral health by binding to teeth and gums, preventing plaque formation in the mouth.
After you spit out the oil, rub the remaining oil into your gums.
Ahmad claims that four plainclothes officers cuffed him to a chair, jammed open his mouth, and electrocuted his gums.
Historical Examples of gums
He lifted up his hoofs, looked at his gums, and listened to the beating of his heart.
Doctor PascalEmile Zola
A tincture for the gums may be made of three ounces of the tincture of bark, and half an ounce of sal ammoniac, mixed together.
These are cases in which lancing the gums would do nothing but mischief.
The Mother's Manual of Children's DiseasesCharles West, M.D.
The addition of gums, as recommended in some books, is unnecessary.
On Laboratory ArtsRichard Threlfall
And the circle of old men champed their gums, and nodded approvingly, and coughed.
Lost FaceJack London
GUM
- genitourinary medicine
gum
1- 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
- NZ short for kauri gum
- See chewing gum, bubble gum, gumtree
- mainly British a gumdrop
- 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
Word Origin for gum
gum
2- the fleshy tissue that covers the jawbones around the bases of the teethTechnical name: gingiva Related adjective: gingival
Word Origin for gum
gum
3- used in the mild oath by gum!
Word Origin for gum
Word Origin and History for gums
gum
"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.
gum
"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).
gum
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.
gum
1- 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.
gum
2- See gingiva.