gum 1
— gumless , adj. — gumlike , adj.
/gum/ , n. , v. , gummed, gumming .
n.
1. any of various viscid, amorphous exudations from plants, hardening on exposure to air and soluble in or forming a viscid mass with water.
2. any of various similar exudations, as resin.
3. a preparation of such a substance, as for use in the arts or bookbinding.
4. See chewing gum .
5. mucilage; glue.
6. rubber 1 (def. 1).
7. See gum tree .
8. Philately. the adhesive by which a postage stamp is affixed. Cf. o.g. (def. 1).
9. Informal. a rubber overshoe or boot.
v.t.
10. to smear, stiffen, or stick together with gum.
11. to clog with or as if with some gummy substance.
v.i.
12. to exude or form gum.
13. to become gummy.
14. to become clogged with a gummy substance.
15. gum up , Slang. to spoil or ruin.
16. gum up the works . See work (def. 14).
[ 1350-1400; ME gomme gumma, for L gummi, cummi kómmi ]
gum 2
/gum/ , n. , v. , gummed, gumming .
n.
1. Often, gums . Also called gingiva . the firm, fleshy tissue covering the alveolar parts of either jaw and enveloping the necks of the teeth.
2. beat one's gums , Slang. to talk excessively or ineffectively.
v.t.
3. to masticate (food) with the gums instead of teeth.
4. to shape or renew the teeth of (a saw), as by grinding.
[ 1275-1325; ME gome, OE goma palate; akin to ON gomr, G Gaumen palate ]
gum 3
/gum/ , interj. by gum
(used as a mild oath).
[ 1825-35; euphemism for GOD ]