drum

Pronunciation

• IPA: /ˈdɹʌm/^[1]

Etymology

It is Middle English dromme, probably borrowed from Middle Dutch tromme (“drum”),^[2][3][4] a common Germanic word, compare German Trommel, Danish tromme and Swedish trumma,^[3][2] probably imitative of the sound.^[3][2][5] Barnhart notes that it is not explained why English has dr- where the others have tr-.^[2] Hoad and Word Origins suggest it may be a shortening of drumslade, from Low German trommelslag, drumbeat.^[6][5][3]

Earliest recorded meaning

The percussion instrument: 1427–30 in Barnhart, the early 15th century in Etymonline;^[2][3] 1541 in the OED.^[7]

Semantic evolution

It was not common before the 1570s; drumslade was at first the more usual word,^[3] and earlier words were tabor and timpan.^[3] By the drum, by public announcement, is from 1574,^[7] and to beat the drum, to make loud publicity, from 1611.^[7] The verb, to play a drum, is from the 1570s, and to beat rhythmically, as with the fingers, from the 1580s.^[3] To drum out, to expel by the beat of a drum, is military by 1766,^[3] and to drum up business is American English from 1839.^[3] The eardrum is from the 17th century,^[6] and drum-shaped objects such as cylinders from the 18th.^[6] Word Origins notes Australian and New Zealand drum, a piece of reliable inside information, from the early 20th century.^[5]

Timeline

• 1427–30 – the instrument.^[2]
• 1570s – the verb.^[3]
• 1574 – by the drum.^[7]
• 1766 – drum out.^[3]
• 1839 – drum up.^[3]

Modern meaning

Noun

1. A percussion instrument of a hollow cylinder with a skin stretched over the end, played by beating.
2. The sound of a drum, or a similar sound.
3. Something shaped like a drum, such as a cylindrical container or barrel.
4. The eardrum.

Verb

1. To play a drum, or to beat or tap rhythmically.
2. To force upon someone by constant repetition.
3. (drum up) To summon or bring in, as support or business.
4. (drum out) To expel in disgrace.

Word family

• drumlike
• drumbeater
• drumette
• drumskin
• drumbeat
• drumfire
• drumfish
• drumhead

Related words

• drummer
• drumstick
• eardrum
• drumslade
• tabor

Usage notes

An unrelated Scots and Irish drum, a long narrow hill or ridge, is from Scottish Gaelic druim (“back, ridge”) (1725);^[4][8] compare drumlin.^[8]

References

1. ^ Wiktionary, the free dictionary, https://en.wiktionary.org
2. ^ a b c d e f Barnhart, Robert K. (1988), The Barnhart Dictionary of Etymology
3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Harper, Douglas. Online Etymology Dictionary, https://www.etymonline.com
4. ^ a b Merriam-Webster Unabridged Dictionary (2024), online ed., Springfield, Mass.: Merriam-Webster
5. ^ a b c Cresswell, Julia (2021), Oxford Dictionary of Word Origins, 3rd ed., Oxford: Oxford University Press
6. ^ a b c Hoad, T. F., ed. (1986), The Concise Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology, Oxford: Clarendon Press
7. ^ a b c d Simpson, J. A.; Weiner, E. S. C., eds. (1989), The Oxford English Dictionary, 2nd ed., Oxford: Clarendon Press
8. ^ a b Wright, Joseph, ed. (1898–1905), The English Dialect Dictionary, 6 vols., Oxford: Henry Frowde; via EDD Online 4.0, University of Innsbruck (CC BY 4.0)