n. & v.
n. 1 a machine, usu. with rotary action or the reciprocal action of a piston, for raising or moving liquids, compressing gases, inflating tyres, etc. 2 an instance of pumping; a stroke of a pump.
v. 1 tr. (often foll. by in, out, into, up, etc.) raise or remove (liquid, gas, etc.) with a pump. 2 tr. (often foll. by up) fill (a tyre etc.) with air. 3 tr. remove (water etc.) with a pump. 4 intr. work a pump. 5 tr. (often foll. by out) cause to move, pour forth, etc., as if by pumping. 6 tr. elicit information from (a person) by persistent questioning. 7 tr. a move vigorously up and down. b shake (a person's hand) effusively. pump-brake a handle of a pump, esp. with a transverse bar for several people to work at. pump-handle colloq. shake (a person's hand) effusively. pump iron colloq. exercise with weights. pump-priming 1 introduce fluid etc. into a pump to prepare it for working. 2 esp. US the stimulation of commerce etc. by investment. pump room 1 a room where fuel pumps etc. are stored or controlled. 2 a room at a spa etc. where medicinal water is dispensed.
[ ME pumpe, pompe (orig. Naut.): prob. imit. ]