Hum (?), v. i. [imp. & p. p. Hummed (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Humming (?).] [Of imitative origin; cf. G. hummen, D. hommelen. &root;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.
© Webster 1913.
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]
© Webster 1913.
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.
© Webster 1913.
Hum, interj. [Cf. Hem, interj.]
Ahem; hem; an inarticulate sound uttered in a pause of speech implying doubt and deliberation.
Pope.
© Webster 1913.