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Question 1 of 7
The rainy weather could not ________ my elated spirits on my graduation day.
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Idioms about gum
gum up the works. work (def. 51).
Origin of gum
1First recorded in 1350–1400; Middle English gom(m)e, gum(m)e, from Old French gomme, from Vulgar Latin gumma, for Latin gummi, cummi, commi, from Greek kómmi, from Coptic kommi, from Egyptian kema, kemai, kmjt
OTHER WORDS FROM gum
gumless, adjectivegumlike, adjectiveOther definitions for gum (2 of 3)
gum2
[ guhm ]
/ gʌm /
noun
Often gums .Also called gingiva. the firm, fleshy tissue covering the alveolar parts of either jaw and enveloping the necks of the teeth.
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.
Origin of gum
2First recorded in 1275–1325; Middle English gom(m)e, Old English gōma “palate, jaws (in plural),” Old Norse gōmr “roof or floor of the mouth,” German Gaumen “palate”
Other definitions for gum (3 of 3)
gum3
[ guhm ]
/ gʌm /
Idioms
by gum, (used as a mild oath).
Origin of gum
3First recorded in 1825–35; euphemism for God
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2022
How to use gum in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for gum (1 of 4)
gum1
/ (ɡʌm) /
noun
verb gums, gumming or gummed
See also gum up
Derived forms of gum
gumless, adjectivegumlike, adjectiveWord Origin for gum
C14: from Old French gomme, from Latin gummi, from Greek kommi, from Egyptian kemai
British Dictionary definitions for gum (2 of 4)
gum2
/ (ɡʌm) /
noun
the fleshy tissue that covers the jawbones around the bases of the teethTechnical name: gingiva Related adjective: gingival
Word Origin for gum
Old English gōma jaw; related to Old Norse gōmr, Middle High German gūme, Lithuanian gomurīs
British Dictionary definitions for gum (3 of 4)
gum3
/ (ɡʌm) /
noun
used in the mild oath by gum!
Word Origin for gum
C19: euphemism for God
British Dictionary definitions for gum (4 of 4)
GUM
abbreviation for
genitourinary medicine
Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition
© William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins
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Medical definitions for gum (1 of 2)
gum 11
[ gŭm ]
n.
Any of various viscous substances that are exuded by certain plants and trees and dry into water-soluble, noncrystalline, brittle solids.
A similar plant exudate, such as a resin.
Any of various adhesives made from such exudates or other sticky substance.
Medical definitions for gum (2 of 2)
gum 22
[ gŭm ]
n.
The firm connective tissue covered by mucous membrane that envelops the alveolar arches of the jaw and surrounds the bases of the teeth.gingiva
v.
To chew food with toothless gums.
The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Scientific definitions for gum (1 of 2)
gum1
[ gŭm ]
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.
Scientific definitions for gum (2 of 2)
gum2
[ gŭm ]
See gingiva.
The American Heritage® Science Dictionary
Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.