▪ I. fum, n.
(fʌm)
Also fung.
[corruption of Chinese fung (hwang).]
A fabulous bird (by Europeans commonly called the phœnix), one of the symbols of the imperial dignity in China.
| 1820 Moore Fum & Hum Wks. V. 132 One day the Chinese Bird of Royalty, Fum, Thus accosted our own Bird of Royalty, Hum. 1825 C. M. Westmacott Eng. Spy I. 332 The fum or Chinese bird of royalty. |
▪ II. † fum, v. Obs.
[echoic.]
1. intr. To play (on a guitar) with the fingers. Cf. strum, thrum vbs.
| 1607 Dekker & Webster Westw. Hoe v. Wks. 1873 II. 349 Follow me, and fum as you goe. 1672 Dryden Assignation ii. iii, He fums on the Guittar. |
2. trans. ? To thump, beat. (The quot. represents the speech of Blacks; but cf. fum-fum b.)
| 1790 J. B. Moreton W. Indies 154 Then missess fum me wid long switch..Me fum'd when me no..me fum'd too if me do it. |
So with reduplication fum-fum, (a) expressing the sound of a stringed instrument; (b) a thumping or beating.
| 1656 Earl of Monmouth, Advt. fr. Parnass. 326 Trivial Fidlers, who play fum fum in the meanest Assemblies. 1885 Blackw. Mag. Oct. 522/2 He got fum-fum for purloining again. |