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mumps

[muhmps]
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noun (used with a singular verb) Pathology.
  1. an infectious disease characterized by inflammatory swelling of the parotid and usually other salivary glands, and sometimes by inflammation of the testes or ovaries, caused by a paramyxovirus.
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Origin of mumps

First recorded in 1590–1600; mump1 + -s3

mump1

[muhmp, moo mp]British Dialect
verb (used with object)
  1. to mumble; mutter.
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verb (used without object)
  1. to sulk; mope.
  2. to grimace.
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Origin of mump1

1580–90; imitative, apparently akin to mum1; compare Dutch mompen to mumble, German mimpfeln to mumble while eating, Icelandic mumpa to take into the mouth, eat greedily

mump2

[muhmp, moo mp]British Dialect
verb (used with object)
  1. to cheat.
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verb (used without object)
  1. to beg.
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Origin of mump2

First recorded in 1645–55, mump is from the Dutch word mompen (obsolete)
Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

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British Dictionary definitions for mumps

mumps

noun
  1. (functioning as singular or plural) an acute contagious viral disease of the parotid salivary glands, characterized by swelling of the affected parts, fever, and pain beneath the ear: usually affects childrenAlso called: epidemic parotitis
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Derived Formsmumpish, adjective

Word Origin

C16: from mump 1 (to grimace)

mump1

verb
  1. (intr) archaic to be silent
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Word Origin

C16 (to grimace, sulk, be silent): of imitative origin, alluding to the shape of the mouth when mumbling or chewing

mump2

verb
  1. (intr) archaic to beg
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Word Origin

C17: perhaps from Dutch mompen to cheat
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 mumps

n.

type of contagious disease, c.1600, from plural of mump "a grimace" (1590s), originally a verb, "to whine like a beggar" (1580s), from Dutch mompen "to cheat, deceive," originally probably "to mumble, whine," of imitative origin. The infectious disease probably so called in reference to swelling of the salivary glands of the face and/or to painful difficulty swallowing. Mumps also was used from 17c. to mean "a fit of melancholy."

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Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
mumps in Medicine

mumps

(mŭmps)
pl.n.
  1. An acute inflammatory contagious disease caused by a paramyxovirus and characterized by swelling of the salivary glands, especially the parotids, and sometimes of the pancreas, ovaries, or testes. This disease, mainly affecting children, can be prevented by vaccination.epidemic parotitis
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The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
mumps in Science

mumps

[mŭmps]
  1. An infectious disease caused by a virus of the family Paramyxoviridae and the genus Rubulavirus, characterized by swelling of the salivary glands, especially the parotid glands, and sometimes of the pancreas, testes, or ovaries. Vaccinations, usually given in early childhood, confer immunity to mumps.
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The American Heritage® Science Dictionary Copyright © 2011. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
mumps in Culture

mumps

An acute and contagious disease marked by fever and inflammation of the salivary glands. Caused by a virus, mumps is normally a childhood disease that passes with no aftereffects.

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Note

A child who has had mumps is immune from further infection by the mumps virus.
The New Dictionary of Cultural Literacy, Third Edition Copyright © 2005 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.