mum

Etymology 1

Alternative form of mam, or an abbreviation of mummy. Compare mom, mama.

noun

1. (UK, Ireland, Canada, New England, South Africa, India, Singapore, Australia, New Zealand, informal) Mother.
   From the Marvel Mixmaster to the Miracle Microwave, every time a new-fangled gadget has lobbed into the Aussie kitchen, Aussie mums have changed their cooking styles accordingly. 1987, Kerry Cue, Hang On To Your Horses Doovers, page 5
   1993, Hilda Hollingsworth, Places of Greater Safety, Zenobia Press edition, page 278, 'Ooh Mum, Auntie don′t allow smokin’ - Pat′s eyes were round with awe as Mum struck a match.
   Her mum says that she is deaf and only partially sighted, so I need to go and stand in front of her, so she can see the gift. 2004, Jack Canfield, Mark Victor Hansen, Patty Hansen, Irene Dunlap, Chicken Soup for the Preteen Soul 2, page 336
   2006, Kathryn Lasky, Guardians of Ga'Hoole, Book 11: To Be a King, page 88, “Mum! Mum!” he shouted out. The laughter stopped. Two bright, sparkling yellow eyes peeped from the hollow. Atop her head were the fluffy ear tufts that his mum was so proud of because they were fuller and lovelier than those of most Great Horned Owls. It was indeed his mum!
   2011, Chyna, FAM: Rolling in a London Girl Gang, unnumbered page, He′s looking at my mum, at her swollen eyes, busted nose and bloodied lips. She′s mashed up something chronic, and the man who did this to her is my dad.
2. (dated, colloquial) ma'am; a term of respect for an older woman.
   “Wy, mum,” said Mr. Weller, “I don′t think you′ll see a many sich, and that′s the truth. But if my son Samivel vould give me my vay, mum, and dis-pense with his—might I wenter to say the vurd?” “What word Mr Weller?” said the housekeeper, blushing slightly. “Petticuts, mum,” returned that gentleman, laying his had upon the garments of his grandson. “If my son Samivel vould only dis-pense vith these here, you′d see sich a alteration in his appearance, as the imagination can′t depicter!” 1840, Charles Dickens, Master Humphrey's Clock, volume 1, published 1851, page 130
   Then she took off the hank and looked me straight in the face, and very pleasant, and says: “Come, now, what′s your real name? “Wh — what, mum?” “What′s your real name? Is it Bill, or Tom, or Bob? — Or what is it?” 1885, Mark Twain, The Adventures of Huckleberry Finn, published 2011, unnumbered page

Etymology 2

Abbreviation of chrysanthemum.

noun

1. (chiefly US) A chrysanthemum.
   I don't know whether that's true or whether New Yorkers are being enjoined from watering the mums in their window boxes or whatever, but I do know that there hasn't been one rain-delay in the whole tournament so far […]. 1996, David Foster Wallace, “Democracy and Commerce at the US Open”, in Both Flesh And Not, Penguin, published 2013, page 139
2. (US, originally Texas) A decoration made originally of a real chrysanthemum but now usually an artificial (silk) flower combined with ribbons and marked with such indicators as the wearer's name, school name, the year, and so on; traditionally worn by girls at high school homecoming celebrations.

Etymology 3

From Middle English mum or mom (“silent”), reminiscent of the sound made when gagged or with a hand over one's mouth. Perhaps related to dated German Mumme (“mask”).

adj

1. (colloquial) Silent.
   [Vladimir Putin] has serious climate problems. And he has been mum on his willingness to do anything. 2021-11-02, Jim Tankersley, Katie Rogers, Lisa Friedman, quoting Joe Biden, “With Methane and Forest Deals, Climate Summit Offers Hope After Gloomy Start”, in The New York Times, →ISSN
2. (colloquial) Secret.

intj

1. stop speaking!, stop talking!, hush!

verb

1. To act in a pantomime or dumb show.

noun

1. (obsolete) silence

Etymology 4

German Mumme

noun

1. A type of strong beer, originally made in Brunswick, Germany.