gum

noun (1)

\ ˈgəm

Definition of gum

(Entry 1 of 4)

: the tissue that surrounds the necks of teeth and covers the alveolar parts of the jaws broadly : the alveolar portion of a jaw with its enveloping soft tissues

gum

verb (1)

gummed; gumming

Definition of gum (Entry 2 of 4)

transitive verb

1 : to enlarge gullets of (a saw)

2 : to chew with the gums

gum

noun (2)

Definition of gum (Entry 3 of 4)

1a : any of numerous colloidal polysaccharide substances of plant origin that are gelatinous when moist but harden on drying and are salts of complex organic acids — compare mucilage sense 1

b : any of various plant exudates (such as an oleoresin or gum resin)

2 : a substance or deposit resembling a plant gum (as in sticky or adhesive quality)

3a : a tree (such as a black gum) that yields gum

b Australia : eucalyptus

4 : the wood or lumber of a gum especially : that of the sweet gum

5 : chewing gum

gum

verb (2)

gummed; gumming

Definition of gum (Entry 4 of 4)

transitive verb

: to clog, impede, or damage with or as if with gum gum up the works

intransitive verb

1 : to exude or form gum

2 : to become gummy

First Known Use of gum

Noun (1)

before the 12th century, in the meaning defined above

Verb (1)

1777, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Noun (2)

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1a

Verb (2)

1597, in the meaning defined at transitive sense

History and Etymology for gum

Noun (1)

Middle English gome, from Old English gōma palate; akin to Old High German guomo palate, and perhaps to Greek chaos abyss

Noun (2)

Middle English gomme, from Middle French, from Latin cummi, gummi, from Greek kommi, from Egyptian qmyt

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More Definitions for gum

gum

noun

\ ˈgəm

Kids Definition of gum

(Entry 1 of 3)

: the flesh at the roots of the teeth

gum

noun

Kids Definition of gum (Entry 2 of 3)

1 : chewing gum

2 : a sticky substance obtained from plants that hardens on drying

3 : a substance like a plant gum (as in stickiness)

gum

verb

gummed; gumming

Kids Definition of gum (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : to smear, stick together, or clog with or as if with gum

2 : to cause not to work properly gum up the works

gum

noun

\ ˈgəm

Medical Definition of gum

(Entry 1 of 3)

: the tissue that surrounds the necks of teeth and covers the alveolar parts of the jaws broadly : the alveolar portion of a jaw with its enveloping soft tissues

gum

transitive verb

gummed; gumming

Medical Definition of gum (Entry 2 of 3)

: to chew with the gums

gum

noun

Medical Definition of gum (Entry 3 of 3)

1 : any of numerous colloidal polysaccharide substances of plant origin that are gelatinous when moist but harden on drying and are salts of complex organic acids — compare mucilage

2 : any of various plant exudates (as a mucilage, oleoresin, or gum resin)

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gum

Definition of gum

Other Words from gum

First Known Use of gum

History and Etymology for gum

Kids Definition of gum

Medical Definition of gum

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