pump

pump¹

noun

1》 a mechanical device using suction or pressure to raise or move liquids, compress gases, or force air into inflatable objects.

2》 Physiology a mechanism in living cells by which specific ions are moved through a cell membrane against a concentration gradient.

verb

1》 force (liquid, gas, etc.) to move by or as if by means of a pump.

    ↘move in spurts as though driven by a pump.

    ↘(pump something out) produce or emit something in large quantities or amounts.

2》 (often pump something up) fill (something) with (liquid, gas, etc.).

    ↘(pump something up) informal turn up the volume of music.

    ↘[as adjective pumped up] informal very enthusiastic or excited.

3》 move or cause to move vigorously up and down.

4》 informal try to elicit information from (someone) by persistent questioning.

Phrases

pump iron informal exercise with weights.

Derivatives

pumper noun

Origin

ME: related to Du. pomp 'ship's pump', prob. partly of imitative origin.

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pump²

noun

1》 chiefly N. English a plimsoll.

2》 Brit. a light shoe for dancing.

3》 N. Amer. a court shoe.

Origin

C16: of unknown origin.