drum 1
/drum/ , n. , pl. drums , ( esp. collectively for 11 ) drum , v. , drummed, drumming .
n.
1. a musical percussion instrument consisting of a hollow, usually cylindrical, body covered at one or both ends with a tightly stretched membrane, or head, which is struck with the hand, a stick, or a pair of sticks, and typically produces a booming, tapping, or hollow sound.
2. any hollow tree or similar object or device used in this way.
3. the sound produced by such an instrument, object, or device.
4. any rumbling or deep booming sound.
5. a natural organ by which an animal produces a loud or bass sound.
6. eardrum.
7. any cylindrical object with flat ends.
8. a cylindrical part of a machine.
9. a cylindrical box or receptacle, esp. a large, metal one for storing or transporting liquids.
10. Also called tambour . Archit.
a. any of several cylindrical or nearly cylindrical stones laid one above the other to form a column or pier.
b. a cylindrical or faceted construction supporting a dome.
11. any of several marine and freshwater fishes of the family Sciaenidae that produce a drumming sound.
12. Computers. See magnetic drum .
13. Archaic. an assembly of fashionable people at a private house in the evening.
14. a person who plays the drum.
15. Australian Informal. reliable, confidential, or profitable information: to give someone the drum.
16. beat the drum , to promote, publicize, or advertise: The boss is out beating the drum for a new product.
v.i.
17. to beat or play a drum.
18. to beat on anything rhythmically, esp. to tap one's fingers rhythmically on a hard surface.
19. to make a sound like that of a drum; resound.
20. (of ruffed grouse and other birds) to produce a sound resembling drumming.
v.t.
21. to beat (a drum) rhythmically; perform by beating a drum: to drum a rhythm for dancers.
22. to call or summon by, or as if by, beating a drum.
23. to drive or force by persistent repetition: to drum an idea into someone.
24. to fill a drum with; store in a drum: to drum contaminated water and dispose of it.
25. drum out ,
a. (formerly) to expel or dismiss from a military service in disgrace to the beat of a drum.
b. to dismiss in disgrace: He was drummed out of the university for his gambling activities.
26. drum up ,
a. to call or summon by, or as if by, beating a drum.
b. to obtain or create (customers, trade, interest, etc.) through vigorous effort: They were unable to drum up enthusiasm for the new policies.
c. to concoct; devise: to drum up new methods of dealing with urban crime.
[ 1535-45; back formation from drumslade drum, drummer, alter. of D or LG trommelslag drumbeat, equiv. to trommel drum + slag beat (akin to slagen to beat; c. SLAY) ]
drum 2
/drum/ , n. Scot., Irish Eng.
a long, narrow hill or ridge.
[ 1715-25; druim ]