drum

I. noun Etymology: probably from Dutch trom; akin to Middle High German trumme drum Date: 1539 1. a percussion instrument consisting of a hollow shell or cylinder with a drumhead stretched over one or both ends that is beaten with the hands or with some implement (as a stick or wire brush) 2. tympanic membrane 3. the sound of a drum; also a sound similar to that of a drum 4. any of various chiefly marine bony fishes (family Sciaenidae) that make a drumming or croaking noise using their air bladder and associated muscles 5. something resembling a drum in shape: as a. (1) any of the cylindrical blocks that form the shaft of a column (2) a round wall or structure that supports a dome b. a cylindrical machine or mechanical device or part c. a cylindrical container; specifically a large usually metal container for liquids <

a 55-gallon drum

> d. a disk-shaped magazine for an automatic weapon • drumlike adjective II. verb (drummed; drumming) Date: 1583 intransitive verb 1. to make a succession of strokes or vibrations that produce sounds like drumbeats 2. to beat a drum 3. to throb or sound rhythmically 4. to stir up interest ; solicit transitive verb 1. to summon or enlist by or as if by beating a drum <

were drummed into service

> 2. to dismiss ignominiously ; expel — usually used with out 3. to drive or force by steady effort or reiteration <

drummed the speech into her head

> 4. a. to strike or tap repeatedly b. to produce (rhythmic sounds) by such action III. noun Etymology: Scottish Gaelic druim back, ridge, from Old Irish druimm Date: 1725 1. chiefly Scottish a long narrow hill or ridge 2. drumlin