thrum¹ (thrŭm)

v., thrummed, thrum·ming, thrums.

v.tr.

1. Music. To play (a stringed instrument) idly or monotonously: thrummed a guitar.
2. To speak, repeat, or recite in a monotonous tone of voice; drone.

v.intr.

1. Music. To strum idly on a stringed instrument.
2. To speak in a monotonous tone of voice; drone.

n.
A thrumming sound.

[Imitative.]

thrum² (thrŭm)
n.

1. 1. The fringe of warp threads left on a loom after the cloth has been cut off.
   2. One of these threads.
2. A loose end, fringe, or tuft of thread.
3. thrums Nautical. Short bits of rope yarn inserted into canvas to roughen the surface.

tr.v., thrummed, thrum·ming, thrums.

1. To cover or trim with thrums; fringe.
2. Nautical. To sew thrums in (canvas).

[Middle English, from Old English -thrum, ligament (of the tongue) (in tungethrum, ligament of the tongue).]

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The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition Copyright © 2007, 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Updated in 2009. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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