Hum (?), v. i. [imp. & p.
p. Hummed (?); p. pr. & vb. n.
Humming (?).] [Of imitative origin; cf. G. hummen, D.
hommelen. √15.] 1. To make a low,
prolonged sound, like that of a bee in flight; to drone; to murmur;
to buzz; as, a top hums. P. Fletcher.
Still humming on, their drowsy course they
keep.
Pope.
2. To make a nasal sound, like that of the
letter m prolonged, without opening the mouth, or
articulating; to mumble in monotonous undertone; to drone.
The cloudy messenger turns me his back,
And hums.
Shak.
3. [Cf. Hum, interj.] To make
an inarticulate sound, like h'm, through the nose in the
process of speaking, from embarrassment or a affectation; to
hem.
4. To express satisfaction by a humming
noise.
Here the spectators hummed.
Trial of the Regicides.
☞ Formerly the habit of audiences was to express
gratification by humming and displeasure by hissing.
5. To have the sensation of a humming noise;
as, my head hums, -- a pathological condition.
Hum, n. 1. A low
monotonous noise, as of bees in flight, of a swiftly revolving top,
of a wheel, or the like; a drone; a buzz.
The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy
hums.
Shak.
2. Any inarticulate and buzzing sound;
as: (a) The confused noise of a crowd or of
machinery, etc., heard at a distance; as, the hum of
industry.
But 'midst the crowd, the hum, the shock of
men.
Byron.
(b) A buzz or murmur, as of
approbation. Macaulay.
3. An imposition or hoax.
4. [Cf. Hem, interj.]
An inarticulate nasal sound or murmur, like h'm, uttered
by a speaker in pause from embarrassment, affectation, etc.
THese shrugs, these hums and ha's.
Shak.
5. [Perh. so called because strongly
intoxicating.] A kind of strong drink formerly used.
[Obs.] Beau. & Fl.
Venous hum. See under
Venous.
Hum, interj. [Cf. Hem,
interj.] Ahem; hem; an inarticulate sound uttered in a
pause of speech implying doubt and deliberation.
Pope.
Hum, v. t. 1. To
sing with shut mouth; to murmur without articulation; to mumble; as,
to hum a tune.
2. To express satisfaction with by
humming.
3. To flatter by approving; to cajole; to
impose on; to humbug. [Colloq. & Low]