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lam
1[ lam ]
/ læm /
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verb (used with object), lammed, lam·ming.
to beat; thrash.
verb (used without object), lammed, lam·ming.
to beat; strike; thrash (usually followed by out or into).
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Origin of lam
1Words nearby lam
lallygag, Lalo, lalopathy, laloplegia, La Louvière, lam, lama, Lamaism, La Mancha, La Manche, La Mano Nera
Other definitions for lam (2 of 6)
lam2
[ lam ]
/ læm /
noun
a hasty escape; flight.
verb (used without object), lammed, lam·ming.
to run away quickly; escape; flee: I'm going to lam out of here as soon as I've finished.
Origin of lam
21885–90; special use of lam1. Compare beat it! be off!
Other definitions for lam (3 of 6)
Lam
[ lahm, lam ]
/ lɑm, læm /
noun
Wi·fre·do [wi-frey-doh] /wɪˈfreɪ doʊ/ or Wil·fre·do [wil-frey-doh], /wɪlˈfreɪ doʊ/, 1902–82, Cuban painter in Europe.
Other definitions for lam (4 of 6)
lām
[ lahm ]
/ lɑm /
noun
the 23rd letter of the Arabic alphabet.
Origin of lām
From Arabic; see origin at lambda
Other definitions for lam (5 of 6)
lam.
abbreviation
laminated.
Other definitions for lam (6 of 6)
Lam.
abbreviation Bible.
Lamentations.
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
How to use lam in a sentence
British Dictionary definitions for lam (1 of 3)
lam1
/ (læm) /
verb lams, lamming or lammed slang
(tr) to thrash or beat
(intr; usually foll by into or out) to make a sweeping stroke or blow
Word Origin for lam
C16: from Scandinavian; related to Old Norse lemja
British Dictionary definitions for lam (2 of 3)
lam2
/ (læm) US and Canadian slang /
noun
a sudden flight or escape, esp to avoid arrest
on the lam
- making an escape
- in hiding
verb lams, lamming or lammed
(intr) to escape or flee
Word Origin for lam
C19: perhaps from lam 1 (hence, to be off)
British Dictionary definitions for lam (3 of 3)
Lam.
/ Bible /
abbreviation for
Lamentations
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
Other Idioms and Phrases with lam
lam
see on the lam.
The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.