gumming


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Related to gumming: gumming up

gum 1

 (gŭm)
n.
1.
a. Any of various viscous substances that are exuded by certain plants and trees and dry into water-soluble, noncrystalline, brittle solids.
b. A similar plant exudate, such as a resin.
c. Any of various adhesives made from such exudates or other sticky substance.
2. A substance resembling the viscous substance exuded by certain plants, as in stickiness.
3.
a. Any of various trees, especially of the genera Eucalyptus and Liquidambar, that are sources of gum. Also called gum tree.
b. The wood of such a tree; gumwood.
4. Chewing gum.
v. gummed, gum·ming, gums
v.tr.
To cover, smear, seal, fill, or fix in place with gum.
v.intr.
1. To exude or form gum.
2. To become sticky or clogged.
Phrasal Verb:
gum up
To ruin or bungle: gum up the works.
[Middle English gomme, from Old French, from Late Latin gumma, variant of Latin gummi, cummi, from Greek kommi, perhaps from Egyptian ḳmj-t.]

gum 2

 (gŭm)
n.
The firm connective tissue covered by mucous membrane that envelops the alveolar arches of the jaw and surrounds the bases of the teeth. Also called gingiva.
tr.v. gummed, gum·ming, gums
To chew (food) with toothless gums.
[Middle English gome, from Old English gōma, palate, jaw.]
American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fifth Edition. Copyright © 2016 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. All rights reserved.
ThesaurusAntonymsRelated WordsSynonymsLegend:
Noun1.gumming - ineffectual chewing (as if without teeth)
mumbling
chewing, mastication, chew, manduction - biting and grinding food in your mouth so it becomes soft enough to swallow
Based on WordNet 3.0, Farlex clipart collection. © 2003-2012 Princeton University, Farlex Inc.