- mum
-
mum1
/mum/, adj.1. silent; not saying a word: to keep mum.2. say nothing! be silent!3. mum's the word, do not reveal what you know (about something); keep silent: Mum's the word, or the surprise party won't be a surprise.[1350-1400; ME momme; imit.]mum2/mum/, v.i., mummed, mumming.1. to say "mum"; call for silence.2. to act as a mummer.Also, mumm.[1350-1400; ME mommen, v. use of MUM1; cf. MD mommen to act the mummer's part]mum3/mum/, n.chrysanthemum.[shortened form]mum4/mum/, n. Chiefly Brit.mother.[1815-25; nursery word; see MOM]mum5/mum/, n.a strong beer or ale, first made in Brunswick, Germany.[1630-40; < G Mumme, said to have been named after the brewer who made it]mum6/mum/, n. Chiefly Brit.madam.[var. of MA'AM]
* * *
Universalium. 2010.