Gum
/ɡʌm/noun
A sticky, chewy substance from plants or made synthetically; also the fleshy tissue around the teeth.
Did you know?English gum has two different historical sources: the sticky substance came through Old French from Latin *gummi* (ultimately from Greek *kommi*), while the mouth tissue is a separate word from Old English *gōma*, meaning the roof of the mouth.
Etymological Timeline
Ancient Greek
Greek
kómmi
“gum or resin from trees”
Late Latin
Latin
gummi
“gum, resin”
Old French
Old French
gomme
“gum, resin; later also rubber”
Middle English
English
gome
“gum, resin”
Old English
English
gōma
“the roof or upper part of the mouth”
Modern English
English
gum
“sticky resin or the flesh surrounding the teeth”