noun / verb
gum
A sticky elastic substance used for coating or binding.
A thin layer of gum holds the label in place.
Etymology
The Greek ancestor already named gum or resinous material. The English word preserves the idea of a sticky substance useful for binding or coating.
More examples
- Moisten the gum on the envelope before sealing it.
- She gums the paper edges together.
- Sticky residue gums up the small gears.
Forms
gum · gums · gummed · gumming
gummy adjective — Sticky or thick like gum.