▪ I. ‖ cum
(kʌm)
Latin preposition, meaning ‘with, together with’, used in English in local names of combined parishes or benefices, as Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Stow-cum-Quy, where it originated in Latin documents. Also in several much-used Latin phrases, as cum grano salis (or familiarly cum grano), lit. ‘with a grain of salt,’ i.e. with some caution or reserve; cum privilegio (ad imprimendum solum) with privilege (of sole printing); and in expressions, technical or humorous, imitating these, e.g. cum dividend (cum div.) relating to the sale or transfer of stock or shares together with the dividend about to be paid on them. Freq. used as a combining word to indicate a dual nature or function.
| 1589 Hay any Work 42 Many bookes..had cum priuilegio, and yet were neuer authorized. 1653 Baxter Chr. Concord 64, I know this speech must be understood cum grano salis. 1871 J. C. Young Mem. C. M. Young I. iv. 125 (Stanford) He greatly preferred coffee cum chicory to coffee pure and simply. 1871–3 Trollope Eustace Diamonds (1873) I. xiii. 173 The Belgrave-cum-Pimlico life. 1877 R. Giffen Stock Exch. Securities 59 The price quickly rising from 125 cum div. early in July, to 136 ex div. in September. a 1893 Mod. All he says must be received cum grano. 1913 Kipling Diversity of Creatures (1917) 172 Easy motor-bike-cum-side-car trips round London. 1939 O. Lancaster Homes Sweet Homes 44 The fervent mediaevalism..developed a philosophic-cum-economic tinge. 1959 Manch. Guardian 3 July 5/6 Three short..dinner-cum-cocktail dresses. 1959 Viewpoint July 33 The atmosphere of laboratory-cum-workshop. |
▪ II. cum
obs. form of come v., pa. pple., n.2