Etymology Explorer › English

Where does “strum” come from?

I need to point out an issue: the headword given is "strum" but the etymological chain provided is for "thrum." These are different words. If you'd like me to write the etymology summary for **thrum** based on the chain provided, here it is: Thrum comes from Middle English throm, Old English þrum, and Proto-Germanic þrumą, with roots tracing back to a Germanic base of uncertain ultimate origin. If you intended "strum" as the headword, please provide the correct etymological chain, as strum has a different origin.

strum (English): To play using various strings simultaneously;...

Definitions

  1. To play using various strings simultaneously;...

Ancestry of “strum”, step by step

StepLanguageWordMeaning
1EnglishthrumA thrumming sound; a hum or vibration; A spicy...
2Middle Englishthrum—
3Old Englishþrum—
4Proto-Germanicþrumąstump, trunk, block; butt, end

Words derived from “strum”

  • strummer
  • strummy
  • strumstrum
  • strummeth
Every word from Proto-Germanic þrumą →