mum 1
/mum/ , adj.
1. silent; not saying a word: to keep mum.
interj.
2. say nothing! be silent!
3. mum's the word , do not reveal what you know (about something); keep silent: Mum's the word, or the surprise party won't be a surprise.
[ 1350-1400; ME momme; imit. ]
mum 2
/mum/ , v.i. , mummed, mumming .
1. to say "mum"; call for silence.
2. to act as a mummer.
Also, mumm .
[ 1350-1400; ME mommen, v. use of MUM 1 ; cf. MD mommen to act the mummer's part ]
mum 3
/mum/ , n.
chrysanthemum.
[ shortened form ]
mum 4
/mum/ , n. Chiefly Brit.
mother.
[ 1815-25; nursery word; see MOM ]
mum 5
/mum/ , n.
a strong beer or ale, first made in Brunswick, Germany.
[ 1630-40; Mumme, said to have been named after the brewer who made it ]
mum 6
/mum/ , n. Chiefly Brit.
madam.
[ var. of MA'AM ]