hum

interj. [ Cf. Hem, interj. ] Ahem; hem; an inarticulate sound uttered in a pause of speech implying doubt and deliberation. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. 1. A low monotonous noise, as of bees in flight, of a swiftly revolving top, of a wheel, or the like; a drone; a buzz. [ 1913 Webster ]

The shard-borne beetle with his drowsy hums. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Any inarticulate and buzzing sound; as: (a) The confused noise of a crowd or of machinery, etc., heard at a distance; as, the hum of industry. [ 1913 Webster ]

But 'midst the crowd, the hum, the shock of men. Byron.

(b) A buzz or murmur, as of approbation. Macaulay. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. An imposition or hoax. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. [ Cf. Hem, interj. ] An inarticulate nasal sound or murmur, like h'm, uttered by a speaker in pause from embarrassment, affectation, etc. [ 1913 Webster ]

These shrugs, these hums and ha's. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. [ Perh. so called because strongly intoxicating. ] A kind of strong drink formerly used. [ Obs. ] Beau. & Fl. [ 1913 Webster ]

Venous hum. See under Venous. [ 1913 Webster ]

v. i. [ imp. & p. p. Hummed p. pr. & vb. n. Humming ] [ Of imitative origin; cf. G. hummen, D. hommelen. √15. ] 1. To make a low, prolonged sound, like that of a bee in flight; to drone; to murmur; to buzz; as, a top hums. P. Fletcher. [ 1913 Webster ]

Still humming on, their drowsy course they keep. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. To make a nasal sound, like that of the letter m prolonged, without opening the mouth, or articulating; to mumble in monotonous undertone; to drone. [ 1913 Webster ]

The cloudy messenger turns me his back,
And hums. Shak. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. [ Cf. Hum, interj. ] To make an inarticulate sound, like h'm, through the nose in the process of speaking, from embarrassment or a affectation; to hem. [ 1913 Webster ]

4. To express satisfaction by a humming noise. [ 1913 Webster ]

Here the spectators hummed. Trial of the Regicides. [ 1913 Webster ]

☞ Formerly the habit of audiences was to express gratification by humming and displeasure by hissing. [ 1913 Webster ]

5. To have the sensation of a humming noise; as, my head hums, -- a pathological condition. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. humanus; akin to homo man: cf. F. humain. See Homage, and cf. Humane, Omber. ] Belonging to man or mankind; having the qualities or attributes of a man; of or pertaining to man or to the race of man; as, a human voice; human shape; human nature; human sacrifices. [ 1913 Webster ]

To err is human; to forgive, divine. Pope. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. A human being. [ Colloq. ] [ 1913 Webster ]

Sprung of humans that inhabit earth. Chapman. [ 1913 Webster ]

We humans often find ourselves in strange position. Prof. Wilson. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ LL. humanatus. ] Indued with humanity. [ Obs. ] Cranmer. [ 1913 Webster ]

a. [ L. humanus: cf. F. humain. See Human. ] 1. Pertaining to man; human. [ Obs. ] Jer. Taylor. [ 1913 Webster ]

2. Having the feelings and inclinations creditable to man; having a disposition to treat other human beings or animals with kindness; kind; benevolent. [ 1913 Webster ]

Of an exceeding courteous and humane inclination. Sportswood. [ 1913 Webster ]

3. Humanizing; exalting; tending to refine.

Syn. -- Kind; sympathizing; benevolent; mild; compassionate; gentle; tender; merciful.

-- Hu*mane"ly, adv. -- Hu*mane"ness, n. [ 1913 Webster ]

n. The study of human nature. [ R. ] T. W. Collins. [ 1913 Webster ]