Middle English Dictionary Entry
hummen v.
Entry Info
| Forms | hummen v. Also hom(m)e, homben. |
| Etymology | Prob. imitative. Cp. Du. hommelen, dial. hommen; MHG hummen. |
Definitions (Senses and Subsenses)
Note: Cp. humblinge.
1.
(a) To hum, buzz, murmur; (b) to make inarticulate sounds; (c) to make murmuring sounds to cover up embarrassment.
Associated quotations
a
- (?1440) Palladius (DukeH d.2)7.124 : Al subtilly and smale yf that they [the bees] summe; Al hugely and haske yf that they humme, As houses holgh their voices multiplye.
- c1460 Chaucer CT.WB.(McC 181)D.972 : Humbeth [Heng: And as a Bitore bombleth in the Myre].
b
- a1500(c1386) St.Erk.(Hrl 2250)281 : Þen hummyd he þat þer lay and his hedde waggyd And gefe a gronynge ful grete.
c
- a1425(c1385) Chaucer TC (Benson-Robinson)2.1199 : Therwith al rosy hewed tho wex she, And gan to homme [vrr. home, humme] and seyde, 'So I trowe.'