Hum

hum, v. [hummed (humd), -ming.] To make a dull, prolonged, nasal sound, like that of a bee in flight; to drone, murmur, buzz, drawl; to make as if speaking, but without opening the mouth, or articulating; to mumble.— v. To sing with shut mouth; to murmur without articulation; to make a murmur or buzz of approbation. — n. Noise of bees in flight, of a revolving top, whirling wheel, etc.; any inarticulate buzzing sound; an imposition or hoax. [Onomat; G. hummen, D. hommelen, to hum; Sp. and Pszomhar, to hum, joke, jest.] — Hum mer, n. — Hum'bug, n. Imposition under fair pretenses; a hoax; one who hoaxes; an impostor. — v. [humbugged (-bugd), -ging.] To deceive, impose on, cajole. [Fr. hum and bug: see Bugbear.] — Hum'buggery, -ger-T, n. Practice ot imposition.— Hum 'drum, a. Dull stupid commonplace. — Hurn'ming-bird, n. A very small Amer. bird of many species, remarkable for the metallic brilliancy of plumage, Humming Dim. its swift motion, and the humming sound of its wings when in flight, or hovering about flowers in pursuit of insect food. eve, term In, ice 5dd, tone, or 285 HUM 267