drum

drum · noun, verb¹

1. Middle Low German · derived fromtrumme“drum”
2. Middle Dutch · derived fromtromme“drum”
3. Middle Dutch · derived fromtrommelslach“drumbeat”
4. English todaydrum

Perhaps back-formation from drumslade (“drummer”), from Middle Dutch trommelslach (“drumbeat”), from trommel (“drum”) + slach (“beat”) (Dutch slag). Or perhaps borrowed directly from a continental Germanic language; compare Middle Dutch tromme (“drum”), Middle Low German trumme (“drum”) et al. Compare also Middle High German trumme, trumbe (“drum”), Old High German trumba (“trumpet”). Compare Ancient Greek τῠ́μπᾰνον (tŭ́mpănon, “kettledrum”) whence Modern English timbre.

drum · noun²

1. Scottish Gaelic · derived fromdruim“back, ridge”
2. Irish · derived fromdruim
3. English todaydrum

From Irish druim, Scottish Gaelic druim (“back, ridge”).

drum · noun³

Unknown.

drum · noun⁴

Shortening.

Drum · proper noun⁵

1. Proto-Germanic · derived from*trumaz
2. Middle Low German · derived fromdrum“woodblock”
3. Middle High German · derived fromtrum
4. English todayDrum

* As an Irish surname, from Droma, a personal name from druim (“ridge”) * As a Scottish Gaelic surname, from druim (“ridge”) * As a German surname, from Middle High German trum and Middle Low German drum (“woodblock”), both probably from Proto-Germanic *trumaz.

Words from the same roots

First known use, by meaning

• from 18th c. A social gathering or assembly held in the evening.
• from 19th c. A person's home; a house or other building, especially when insalubrious; a tavern, a brothel.