I. ˈthrəm noun
Etymology: Middle English, from Old English -thrum (in tungethrum ligament of the tongue); akin to Old High German drum fragment
Date: 14th century
1.
a.
(1) : a fringe of warp threads left on the loom after the cloth has been removed
(2) : one of these warp threads
b. : a tuft or short piece of rope yarn used in thrumming canvas — usually used in plural
c. : bit , particle
2. : a hair, fiber, or threadlike leaf on a plant ; also : a tuft or fringe of such structures
• thrum adjective
II. transitive verb
( thrummed ; thrum·ming )
Date: 15th century
1. : to furnish with thrums : fringe
2. : to insert short pieces of rope yarn or spun yarn in (a piece of canvas) to make a rough surface or a mat which can be wrapped about rigging to prevent chafing
III. verb
( thrummed ; thrum·ming )
Etymology: imitative
Date: 1592
intransitive verb
1. : to play or pluck a stringed instrument idly : strum
2. : to sound with a monotonous hum
transitive verb
1. : to play (as a stringed instrument) in an idle or relaxed manner
2. : to recite tiresomely or monotonously
IV. noun
Date: 1798
: the monotonous sound of thrumming