hum

Definition

A hummed tune, i.e. created orally with lips closed.

Etymology

From Middle English hummen (“to hum, buzz, drone, make a murmuring sound to cover embarrassment”); akin to Dutch hommelen (“to bumble, buzz”), dialectal Dutch hommen (“to buzz, hum”), Middle High German hummen (“to hum”), probably ultimately of imitative origin.

Example Sentences

• "They could hear a hum coming from the kitchen, and found the dishwasher on."
• "the shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums"
• "you do provide me hum enough , And lour to bouse with"