Latin preposition, meaning ‘with, together with,’ used in English in local names of combined parishes or benefices, as Chorlton-cum-Hardy, Stow-cum-Quy, where it originated in Latin documents. Also in several much-used Latin phrases, as cum grano salis (or familiarly cum grano), lit. ‘with a grain of salt,’ i.e., with some caution or reserve; cum privilegio (ad imprimendum solum) with privilege (of sole printing); and in expressions, technical or humorous, imitating these, e.g., cum dividend (cum div.) relating to the sale or transfer of stock or shares together with the dividend about to be paid on them.
1589. Hay any Work, 42. Many bookes … had cum priuilegio, and yet were neuer authorized.
1653. Baxter, Chr. Concord, 64. I know this speech must be understood cum grano salis.
1871. J. C. Young, Mem. C. M. Young, I. iv. 125 (Stanford). He greatly preferred coffee cum chicory, to coffee pure and simple.
1877. R. Giffen, Stock Exch. Securities, 59. The result was an ‘explosion’ of price upwards, the price quickly rising from 125 cum div. early in July, to 136 ex div. in September, and many incautious speculators being ruined.
Mod. All he says must be received cum grano.
