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View synonyms for thrum

thrum

1

[ thruhm ]

verb (used without object)

, thrummed, thrum·ming.
  1. to play on a stringed instrument, as a guitar, by plucking the strings, especially in an idle, monotonous, or unskillful manner; strum.
  2. to sound when thrummed on, as a guitar or similar stringed instrument.
  3. to drum or tap idly with the fingers.


verb (used with object)

, thrummed, thrum·ming.
  1. to play (a stringed instrument, or a melody on it) by plucking the strings, especially in an idle, monotonous, or unskillful manner; strum.
  2. to drum or tap idly on.
  3. to recite or tell in a monotonous way.

noun

  1. an act or sound of thrumming; dull, monotonous sound.

thrum

2

[ thruhm ]

noun

  1. one of the ends of the warp threads in a loom, left unwoven and remaining attached to the loom when the web is cut off.
  2. thrums, the row or fringe of such threads.
  3. any short piece of waste thread or yarn; tuft, tassel, or fringe of threads, as at the edge of a piece of cloth.
  4. Often thrums. Nautical. short bits of rope yarn used for making mats.

verb (used with object)

, thrummed, thrum·ming.
  1. Nautical. to insert short pieces of rope yarn through (canvas) and thus give it a rough surface, as for wrapping about a part to prevent chafing.
  2. to furnish or cover with thrums, ends of thread, or tufts.

thrum

1

/ θrʌm /

noun

    1. any of the unwoven ends of warp thread remaining on the loom when the web has been removed
    2. such ends of thread collectively
  1. a fringe or tassel of short unwoven threads
“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


verb

  1. tr to trim with thrums
“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

thrum

2

/ θrʌm /

verb

  1. to strum rhythmically but without expression on (a musical instrument)
  2. intr to drum incessantly

    rain thrummed on the roof

  3. to repeat (something) monotonously
“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

noun

  1. a repetitive strumming or recitation
“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
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Derived Forms

  • ˈthrummer, noun
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Other Words From

  • thrummer noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of thrum1

First recorded in 1545–55; imitative

Origin of thrum2

First recorded before 1000; Middle English noun thrum, thrum(m)e, “end-piece (from the warp of a loom)”, Old English -thrum (in tungethrum “ligament of the tongue”), cognate with Old High German drum “end-piece”; akin to Old Norse thrǫmr “brim, edge, verge,” Latin terminus, Greek térma “end”
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Word History and Origins

Origin of thrum1

C14: from Old English; related to Old High German drum remnant, Dutch dreum

Origin of thrum2

C16: of imitative origin
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Example Sentences

Fusing R&B sounds with electro-pop production throws songs into a softer focus, and her vocals are often layered over the thrum of a steady bass or drum as she whispers about the inner dimensions and complexity of love and adolescence.

Work can kill your soul, but the stories in this collection thrum with life.

They had not heard the thrum of the motors on the roadway outside.

Dee could thrum out an accompaniment, if it happened to be a very simple one with only one or two changes.

When he touches Rossetti's lute his melody is blurred by the thrum of the strings that the Italian's fingers have so lately left.

Stella looked and listened until there was but a faint thrum far up the lake.

Some thrum a musical instrument the livelong day, and, when they wake at night, proceed at once to their musical performance.

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thruthrum-eyed