n. A musical instrument of the percussive class, consisting of a hollow wooden or metallic body and a tightly stretched head of membrane which is struck with a stick.n. In arch.: The solid part of the Corinthian and Composite capital, otherwise called bell, vase, or basket.n. One of the blocks of nearly cylindrical form of which the shafts of many columns are constructed.n. An upright member under or above a dome.n. In machinery, a term applied to various contrivances resembling a drum in shape.n. Specifically— A cylinder revolving on an axis for the purpose of turning wheels by means of belts or bands passing round it.n. The barrel of a crane or windlass.n. A cylinder on which wire is wound, as in wire-drawing.n. The grinding cylinder or cone of some mills.n. The cast-iron case which holds the coiled spring of a spring car-brake.n. A circular radiator for steam or hot air; a stove-drum or steam-drum.n. In water-heaters or steam-boilers, a chamber into which heated water is made to flow in order to afford room for other bodies of water from parts of the boiler not so near the fire.n. A steam-tight cask in which printed fabrics are submitted to the action of steam to fix the colors.n. A washing-tub for cleaning rags in paper-making.n. A doffer in a carding-machine.n. In a vase or similar vessel, that part of the body which approximates to a cylindrical form.n. In anatomy and zoöl.: The tympanum or middle ear.n. The tracheal tympanum or labyrinth of a bird. See tympanum, 4.n. One of the tympanic organs seated in two deep cavities on the first abdominal segment of certain Homoptera, and said to be used in producing sounds.n. The large hollow hyoid bone of a howling monkey. See Mycetinæ.n. A membrane drawn over a round frame, used for testing the delicate edges of eye-instruments.n. A receptacle having the form of a drum, or the quantity packed in such receptacle: as, a drum of figs.n. Milit., a party accompanied by a drum sent under a flag of truce to confer with the enemy.n. A fashionable and crowded evening party, at which card-playing appears to have been the chief attraction; a rout. The more riotous of such assemblies were styled drum-majors.n. An afternoon tea. Also called kettledrum, with a punning allusion to tea-kettle.n. In ichthyology, a name of several sciænoid fishes: so called from the drumming noise they make, said to be due, in part at least, to the grinding of the pharyngeal bones upon each other.To beat a drum; beat or play a tune on a drum.To beat rhythmically or regularly with the fingers or something else, as if using drum sticks: as, to drum on the table.To beat, as the heart; throb.To attract recruits, as by the sound of the drum; hence, in the United States, to sue for partizans, customers, etc.: followed by for.To sound like a drum; resound.To produce a sound resembling drumming: said of partridges, blackcock, and other birds. It is done by quivering the expanded feathers of the wings.To perform on a drum, as a tune.Milit., to expel formally and accompany in departure with the beat of the drum: often used figuratively, and usually followed by out: as, the disgraced soldier was drummed out of the regiment.To summon as by beat of drum.To force upon the attention by continual iteration; din: as, to drum something into one's ears.n. A ridge; a hill.n. Specificallyn. A long narrow ridge or mound of sand, gravel, and boulders: a name given by Irish geologists to elevations of this kind believed to have been the result of glacial agencies. See eskar, horseback, and kame. Also called drumlin.To treat in a drum, as skins. See druml, n., 3 .In forestry, to haul (logs) by drum and cable out of a hollow or cove.
