[Echoic: cf. THRUM v.3] An echoic word representing various sounds, esp. the tones produced by ‘thrumming’ a guitar or similar instrument; also dial. the purring of a cat.
[a. 1553. Udall, Royster D., II. i. Anon to our gitterne, thrumpledum, thrumpledum thrum.]
1798. Lawrence, Treat. Horses, II. i. 18. That … affectionate domestic the cat,… its feet kneading in unison with the grateful thrum.
1814. Sporting Mag., XLIV. 128. The soft and melodious thrum evincing the happy state of his [a cat’s] feelings.
1845. T. Cooper, Purgatory of Suicides (1877), 110. Fear not Grimalkin! she doth sing ‘three-thrum.’
1863. W. Miller, Willie Winkie, ii. The cat’s singing grey thrums To the sleeping hen.
1883. Bertha Thomas, George Sand, 119. The distant thrum of guitars.
1884. Pall Mall G., 4 July, 4/1. The thrum-thrum, ting-ting, tum-a-tum-tum of their banjoes filled the air.
