Idioms for gum

    gum up the works. work(def 51).

Origin of gum

1
1350–1400; Middle English gomme < Old French < Vulgar Latin *gumma, for Latin gummi, cummi < Greek kómmi

OTHER WORDS FROM gum

gum·less, adjective gum·like, adjective

Definition for gum (2 of 3)

gum 2
[ guhm ]
/ gʌm /

noun

Often gums. Also called gingiva. the firm, fleshy tissue covering the alveolar parts of either jaw and enveloping the necks of the teeth.

verb (used with object), gummed, gum·ming.

to masticate (food) with the gums instead of teeth.
to shape or renew the teeth of (a saw), as by grinding.

Origin of gum

2
1275–1325; Middle English gome, Old English gōma palate; akin to Old Norse gōmr, German Gaumen palate

Definition for gum (3 of 3)

gum 3
[ guhm ]
/ gʌm /

Idioms

by gum, (used as a mild oath).

Origin of gum

3
First recorded in 1825–35; euphemism for God

Example sentences from the Web for gum

British Dictionary definitions for gum (1 of 4)

gum 1
/ (ɡʌm) /

noun

verb gums, gumming or gummed

See also gum up

Derived forms of gum

gumless, adjective gumlike, adjective

Word Origin for gum

C14: from Old French gomme, from Latin gummi, from Greek kommi, from Egyptian kemai

British Dictionary definitions for gum (2 of 4)

gum 2
/ (ɡʌm) /

noun

the fleshy tissue that covers the jawbones around the bases of the teeth Technical name: gingiva Related adjective: gingival

Word Origin for gum

Old English gōma jaw; related to Old Norse gōmr, Middle High German gūme, Lithuanian gomurīs

British Dictionary definitions for gum (3 of 4)

gum 3
/ (ɡʌm) /

noun

used in the mild oath by gum!

Word Origin for gum

C19: euphemism for God

British Dictionary definitions for gum (4 of 4)

GUM

abbreviation for

genitourinary medicine

Scientific definitions for gum (1 of 2)

gum 1
[ gŭm ]

Any of various sticky substances that are produced by certain plants and trees and dry into brittle solids soluble in water. Gums typically are colloidal mixtures of polysaccharides and mineral salts.

Scientific definitions for gum (2 of 2)

gum 2
[ gŭm ]

See gingiva.