gum
gum Lexical Profile
gum Game Scores & Validity
• noun
A sweet, chewable preparation made from a chicle or synthetic rubber base, designed to be chewed for its flavor but not swallowed.
"She blew a massive bubble with her strawberry gum before it popped and stuck to her nose."
The firm, fleshy, mucosal tissue covering the jawbones and surrounding the base of the teeth in vertebrates.
"Brushing your teeth too hard can cause your gums to recede and become highly sensitive."
A viscous, sticky secretion exuded by certain trees and shrubs that hardens on drying, often used in adhesives, food stabilizers, and pharmaceuticals.
"The ancient Egyptians used Arabic gum as a natural adhesive in the mummification process."
• verb
To clog or obstruct a mechanism, system, or process, preventing it from functioning smoothly (usually followed by 'up').
"Dirt and old grease will eventually gum up the delicate gears of the grandfather clock."
To smear, coat, or stick together using a viscous, adhesive substance.
"The clerk had to gum the broken envelope shut to ensure the documents inside wouldn't spill out."
To chew or gnaw on something with toothless gums.
"The infant contentedly gummed the edge of her soft blanket while watching the mobile spin."
Word Nuance & Usage
When referring to the anatomical tissue, 'gum' is predominantly used in the plural form ('gums'). As a sticky substance or chewing candy, it acts as an uncountable or singular noun.
• Rhymes for gum
Word Origin & Etymology
Derives from two distinct etymological roots: the sticky substance comes from Old French 'gome' (via Latin 'gummi' and Greek 'kommi'), while the anatomical mouth tissue originates from Old English 'gōma', meaning palate or jaw.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.