drum

Meanings

Noun

• A percussive musical instrument spanned with a thin covering on at least one end for striking, forming an acoustic chamber; a membranophone.
• Any similar hollow, cylindrical object.
• A barrel or large cylindrical container for liquid transport and storage.
• The encircling wall that supports a dome or cupola.
• Any of the cylindrical blocks that make up the shaft of a pillar.
• A drumfish (family Sciaenidae).
• A tip; a piece of information.
• A small hill or ridge of hills.
• A social gathering or assembly held in the evening.
• A person's home; a house or other building, especially when insalubrious; a tavern, a brothel.
• A drumstick (of chicken, turkey, etc).

Verb

• To beat a drum.
• To beat with a rapid succession of strokes.
• To drill or review in an attempt to establish memorization.
• To throb, as the heart.
• To go about, as a drummer does, to gather recruits, to draw or secure partisans, customers, etc.; used with for.
• Of various animals, to make a vocalisation or mechanical sound that resembles drumming.

Origin

• Perhaps , from Middle Dutch trommelslach ("drumbeat"), from trommel + slach (Dutch slag).
• Or perhaps borrowed directly from a continental Germanic language; compare Middle Dutch tromme ("drum"), Middle Low German trumme ("drum") et al. Compare also Middle High German trumme, trumbe, Old High German trumba ("trumpet").
• From Irish druim, Scottish Gaelic druim ("back, ridge").
• Origin unknown.
• Shortening.