rum

¹

[ ruhm ]

noun

1. an alcoholic liquor or spirit distilled from molasses or some other fermented sugar-cane product.
2. alcoholic drink in general; intoxicating liquor:

   He warned against the demon rum.

rum

²

[ ruhm ]

adjective

Chiefly British Informal.

1. odd, strange, or queer:

   a rum fellow.

2. problematic; difficult; bad:

   a rum situation.

rum

³

[ ruhm ]

noun

Cards.

1. rummy ¹.

Rum

⁴

[ room ]

noun

1. Arabic name of Rome, once used to designate the Byzantine Empire.

Rum.

⁵

abbreviation for

1. Rumania. See Romania.
2. Rumanian. See Romanian. Also Rum

rum

¹

/ rʌm /

noun

1. spirit made from sugar cane, either coloured brownish-red by the addition of caramel or by maturation in oak containers, or left white

rum

²

/ rʌm /

adjective

1. slang.
   strange; peculiar; odd

rum

³

/ rʌm /

noun

1. short for rummy 1

Derived Forms

• ˈrumness, noun
• ˈrumly, adverb

Other Word Forms

• rumless adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of rum¹

First recorded in 1645–55; perhaps short for obsolete rumbullion, rumbustion, of obscure origin

Origin of rum²

First recorded in 1750–60; earlier rome, room “great,” of uncertain origin; perhaps from Romani; Rom

Origin of rum³

An Americanism dating back to 1870–75; by shortening

Word History and Origins

Origin of rum¹

C17: perhaps shortened from C16 rumbullion , of uncertain origin

Origin of rum²

C19: perhaps from Romany rom man

Example Sentences

Their exports include many niche products like specialist rums and indigenous foods such as ackee, a fruit from Jamaica.

From BBC

That question is at the centre of a dispute that is continuing to rumble on the Caribbean island, as some producers wish to strengthen rules on what can, and cannot, be called "Jamaica rum".

From BBC

At the time of the shooting, he said, Ferguson had a blood-alcohol level of .17, more than twice the legal driving limit, after drinking beer, rum and margaritas in the preceding hours.

From Los Angeles Times

If it sticks, he said the 25% tax on the bottles of mezcal, tequila and rum he brings in will push up prices - and sales will drop.

From BBC

Ms Yeates said the builders initially thought it was a bottle of rum and were planning to drink it.

From BBC