bombinate

[ bom-buh-neyt ]

verb (used without object)

, bom·bi·nat·ed, bom·bi·nat·ing.

1. to make a humming or buzzing noise.

bombinate

/ ˈbɒmbɪˌneɪt /

verb

1. literary.
   intr to make a buzzing noise Also (rare)bombilate

Derived Forms

• ˌbombiˈnation, noun

Other Words From

• bombi·nation noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of bombinate¹

First recorded in 1875–80; from New Latin bombinātus, past participle of bombināre, apparently coined by François Rabelais on the basis of Latin bombilāre “to hum, buzz,” from Greek bombyliázein, derivative of bómbos; bomb

Word History and Origins

Origin of bombinate¹

C19: from Latin bombināre , variant of bombilāre to buzz

Example Sentences

They appealed to him as a group of carefully tailored Abstractions bombinating mellifluously in a void.

From Project Gutenberg

V. roll, drum, rumble, rattle, clatter, patter, clack; bombinate†. hum, trill, shake; chime, peal, toll; tick, beat. drum in the ear, din in the ear.

From Project Gutenberg

Like his co-workers he had been somewhat stampeded by Dorn's imitative faculties, faculties which enabled the former journalist to bombinate twice as loud in a void three times as great as any of his colleagues.

From Project Gutenberg

Related Words

• croon
• moan
• mumble
• murmur
• purr
• sing
• strum
• throb
• trill
• warble
• whisper