grum, a.
(grʌm)
Also 8 groom.
[First recorded in the 17th c., when it appears suddenly in very frequent use; it was prob. a new formation due to blended reminiscence of words like grim, glum, gruff, grumble. Cf. Da. grum cruel.]
Of persons, and their aspect and mode of speaking: Gloomy, morose, surly; = glum a. 1.
| 1640 Ld. Kynalmeaky in Lismore Papers Ser. ii. (1888) IV. 146 The King replyed nothing but Look'd very grum. 1670 Cotton Espernon iii. ix. 465 Retaining a kind of a grum reservedness in the rest of his Actions. 1704 Lond. Gaz. No. 4030/4 There is lately come to Colchester..a tall Man,..grum countenance. 1734 Fielding Old Man 1010/1 Oh, dear Papa! don't look so grum. 1764 T. Bridges Homer Travest. (1797) I. 83 He silence broke, And with so grum an accent spoke, Those people that the circle stood in, Fancy'd his mouth was full of pudding. 1781 Archer in Naval Chron. XI. 284 An old grum fellow of a sailor. 1845 W. E. Frye tr. Oehlenschl. Gods 20 Then thus replied with accent grum The god to heroes dear. 1861 L. L. Noble Icebergs xiv. 68 Shy and grum at first, but presently talkative enough. |
† b. dial. Of the voice: Gruff, harsh, and deep in tone. Obs.
| 1744 Almond in Phil. Trans. XLIII. 250 His Voice, like a Man's, very groom. |