pump

Meanings

Noun

• A device for moving or compressing a liquid or gas.
• An instance of the action of a pump; one stroke of a pump; any action similar to pumping
• A device for dispensing liquid or gas to be sold, particularly fuel.
• A swelling of the muscles caused by increased blood flow following high intensity weightlifting.
• A ride on a bicycle given to a passenger, usually on the handlebars or fender.
• The heart.
• The vagina.
• A type of shoe, a trainer or sneaker.
• A type of women's shoe which leaves the instep uncovered and has a relatively high heel, especially a stiletto (with a very high and thin heel)
• A dancing shoe.
• A type of shoe without a heel.

Verb

• To use a pump to move (liquid or gas).
• To fill with air.
• To move rhythmically, as the motion of a pump.
• To shake (a person's hand) vigorously.
• To gain information from (a person) by persistent questioning.
• To use a pump to move liquid or gas.
• To be going very well.
• To kick, throw or hit the ball far and high.
• To pass gas; to fart.
• To pass (messages) into a program so that it can obey them.
• To copulate.
• To weightlift.

Origin

• From Middle English pumpe, possibly from Middle Dutch pompe or Middle Low German pumpe. Compare Dutch pompen, German pumpen, and Danish pompe.
• The etymology of the term is unclear and disputed. One possibility is that it comes from pomp. Another is that it refers to the sound made by the foot moving inside the shoe when dancing. The Oxford English Dictionary claims that it appeared in the 16th century, and lists its origin as "obscure". It has also been linked to the Dutch pampoesje, possibly borrowed from Javanese pampus, ultimately from Persian پاپوش, borrowed from Arabic بَابُوش.