thrum¹ / [unvoicedth]rəm/ • v. (thrummed, thrum·ming) [intr.] make a continuous rhythmic humming sound: the boat's huge engines thrummed in his ears. ∎  [tr.] strum (the strings of a musical instrument) in a rhythmic way.• n. [usu. in sing.] a continuous rhythmic humming sound: the steady thrum of rain on the windows.thrum² • n. (in weaving) an unwoven end of a warp thread, or a fringe of such ends, left in the loom when the finished cloth is cut away. ∎  any short loose thread.• v. (thrummed , thrum·ming ) [tr.] cover or adorn (cloth or clothing) with ends of thread.DERIVATIVES: thrum·mer n.thrum·my adj.

thrum1 end of a warp-thread left unwoven, short piece of waste thread. XIV. repr. OE. þrum in (under)tungeþrum ligament of the tongue = MDu. drom, drum (Du. dreum thrum), OHG., MHG. drum end-piece, remnant (G. trumm), f. Gmc. *þrum- *þram-; the IE. base *trm- is repr. also by L. terminus, Gr. térma end.

thrum2 play on a stringed instrument XVI; strum upon XVII; recite in singsong fashion; drum (on) XVIII. of imit. orig.

Thrum

a band; a troop; a crowded area; a bundle of arrows, 1450.