(n.) An instrument of percussion, consisting either of a hollow
cylinder, over each end of which is stretched a piece of skin or
vellum, to be beaten with a stick; or of a metallic hemisphere
(kettledrum) with a single piece of skin to be so beaten; the common
instrument for marking time in martial music; one of the pair of
tympani in an orchestra, or cavalry band.
(n.) Anything resembling a drum in form
(n.) A sheet iron radiator, often in the shape of a drum, for
warming an apartment by means of heat received from a stovepipe, or a
cylindrical receiver for steam, etc.
(n.) A small cylindrical box in which figs, etc., are packed.
(n.) The tympanum of the ear; -- often, but incorrectly, applied
to the tympanic membrane.
(n.) One of the cylindrical, or nearly cylindrical, blocks, of
which the shaft of a column is composed; also, a vertical wall, whether
circular or polygonal in plan, carrying a cupola or dome.
(n.) A cylinder on a revolving shaft, generally for the purpose of
driving several pulleys, by means of belts or straps passing around its
periphery; also, the barrel of a hoisting machine, on which the rope or
chain is wound.
(n.) See Drumfish.
(n.) A noisy, tumultuous assembly of fashionable people at a
private house; a rout.
(n.) A tea party; a kettledrum.
(v. i.) To beat a drum with sticks; to beat or play a tune on a
drum.
(v. i.) To beat with the fingers, as with drumsticks; to beat with
a rapid succession of strokes; to make a noise like that of a beaten
drum; as, the ruffed grouse drums with his wings.
(v. i.) To throb, as the heart.
(v. i.) To go about, as a drummer does, to gather recruits, to
draw or secure partisans, customers, etc,; -- with for.
(v. t.) To execute on a drum, as a tune.
(v. t.) (With out) To expel ignominiously, with beat of drum; as,
to drum out a deserter or rogue from a camp, etc.
(v. t.) (With up) To assemble by, or as by, beat of drum; to
collect; to gather or draw by solicitation; as, to drum up recruits; to
drum up customers.
