~ 1
■ noun
1》 a percussion instrument sounded by being struck with sticks or the hands, typically cylindrical, barrel-shaped, or bowl-shaped with a taut membrane over one or both ends.
↘a sound made by or resembling that of a ~.
2》 a cylindrical object or part, especially a container: an oil ~.
↘ Architecture the circular vertical wall supporting a dome.
3》 historical a military ~mer.
4》 Brit. informal a house or flat.
↘ Austral./NZ informal a brothel.
5》 a tea party of a kind popular in the late 18th and early 19th century.
6》 Austral./NZ informal a piece of reliable inside information.
■ verb ( ~s , ~ming , ~med )
1》 play on a ~.
↘make a continuous rhythmic noise.
2》 ( ~ something into ) drive a lesson into (someone) by constant repetition.
3》 ( ~ someone out ) expel or dismiss someone with ignominy.
4》 ( ~ something up ) attempt to obtain something by canvassing or soliciting: they ~med up support.
Phrases
beat (or bang ) the ~ of (or for) be ostentatiously in support of.
Origin
ME: from MDu. or Low Ger. tromme , of imitative origin.
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~ 2
(also ~fish )
■ noun ( plural same or ~s ) a coastal or estuarine fish that makes a ~ming sound by vibrating its swim bladder. [Family Sciaenidae: many species.]