drum English · revision 7625

+ {{infobox|confidence=uncertain|formation=borrowing|attested=1427–30|origins=dum tromme}}

+

+ ==Pronunciation==

+ * IPA: /ˈdɹʌm/^(Wiktionary)

+

+ ==Etymology==

+ It is Middle English dromme, probably [[bor|dum|tromme|t=drum]],^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline)^(MWU 2024) a common Germanic word, compare German [[m|de|Trommel]], Danish tromme and Swedish trumma,^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988) probably imitative of the sound.^(Etymonline)^(Barnhart 1988)^(Cresswell 2021) Barnhart notes that it is not explained why English has dr- where the others have tr-.^(Barnhart 1988) Hoad and Word Origins suggest it may be a shortening of [[drumslade]], from Low German trommelslag, drumbeat.^(Hoad 1986)^(Cresswell 2021)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Earliest recorded meaning==

+ The percussion instrument: 1427–30 in Barnhart, the early 15th century in Etymonline;^(Barnhart 1988)^(Etymonline) 1541 in the OED.^(OED 1989)

+

+ ==Semantic evolution==

+ It was not common before the 1570s; drumslade was at first the more usual word,^(Etymonline) and earlier words were [[tabor]] and timpan.^(Etymonline) ''By the drum'', by public announcement, is from 1574,^(OED 1989) and ''to beat the drum'', to make loud publicity, from 1611.^(OED 1989) The verb, to play a drum, is from the 1570s, and to beat rhythmically, as with the fingers, from the 1580s.^(Etymonline) ''To drum out'', to expel by the beat of a drum, is military by 1766,^(Etymonline) and ''to drum up'' business is American English from 1839.^(Etymonline) The eardrum is from the 17th century,^(Hoad 1986) and drum-shaped objects such as cylinders from the 18th.^(Hoad 1986) Word Origins notes Australian and New Zealand ''drum'', a piece of reliable inside information, from the early 20th century.^(Cresswell 2021)

+

+ ==Timeline==

+ * 1427–30 – the instrument.^(Barnhart 1988)

+ * 1570s – the verb.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1574 – by the drum.^(OED 1989)

+ * 1766 – drum out.^(Etymonline)

+ * 1839 – drum up.^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==Modern meaning==

+ ===Noun===

+ # A [[percussion]] instrument of a hollow cylinder with a skin stretched over the end, played by beating.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The sound of a drum, or a similar sound.^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # Something shaped like a drum, such as a cylindrical container or [[barrel]].^(AHD)^(Collins 2023)

+ # The [[eardrum]].^(AHD)^(Hoad 1986)

+

+ ===Verb===

+ # To play a drum, or to beat or tap rhythmically.^(AHD)

+ # To force upon someone by constant repetition.^(AHD)

+ # ''(drum up)'' To summon or bring in, as support or business.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+ # ''(drum out)'' To expel in disgrace.^(AHD)^(Etymonline)

+

+ ==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 [[m|gd|druim|t=back, ridge]] (1725);^(MWU 2024)^(Wright 1898) compare [[drumlin]].^(Wright 1898)

+

+ ==References==

+ {{reflist}}