Examples Word Origin
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. Show More
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. Show More
verb (used without object), gummed, gum·ming. to exude or form gum. to become gummy. to become clogged with a gummy substance. Show More
gum up , Slang to spoil or ruin. Show More
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 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. Show More
beat one's gums , Slang to talk excessively or ineffectively. Show More
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. 2018
Related Words for gums paste ,
wax ,
amber ,
adhesive ,
plaster ,
cement ,
pitch ,
glue ,
mucilage ,
tar ,
rosin ,
exudate ,
resin Examples 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.
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.
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 addition of gums , as recommended in some books, is unnecessary.
And the circle of old men champed their gums , and nodded approvingly, and coughed.
British Dictionary definitions for gums 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 Show More
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 Show More
Derived Forms gumless , adjective gumlike , adjective Word Origin for gum C14: from Old French gomme, from Latin gummi, from Greek kommi, from Egyptian kemai
the fleshy tissue that covers the jawbones around the bases of the teeth Technical name: gingiva Related adjective: gingival Show More
Word Origin for gum Old English gōma jaw; related to Old Norse gōmr, Middle High German gūme, Lithuanian gomurīs
used in the mild oath by gum! Show More
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 gums 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. Show More
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
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