Hum (?), 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.
Still humming on, their drowsy course they keep. Pope.
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.
The cloudy messenger turns me his back,
And hums. Shak.
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.
4. To express satisfaction by a humming noise.
Here the spectators hummed. Trial of the Regicides.
☞ Formerly the habit of audiences was to express gratification by humming and displeasure by hissing.
5. To have the sensation of a humming noise; as, my head hums, — a pathological condition.