gum 1 
(gŭm)
(gŭm)n.
1.
a. Any of various viscous substances that are exuded by certain plants and trees and dry into water-soluble, noncrystalline, brittle solids.
b. A similar plant exudate, such as a resin.
c. Any of various adhesives made from such exudates or other sticky substance.
2. A substance resembling the viscous substance exuded by certain plants, as in stickiness.
3.
a. Any of various trees, especially of the genera Eucalyptus and Liquidambar, that are sources of gum. Also called gum tree.
b. The wood of such a tree; gumwood.
4. Chewing gum.
v. gummed, gum·ming, gums
v.tr.
To cover, smear, seal, fill, or fix in place with gum.
v.intr.
Phrasal Verb: 1. To exude or form gum.
2. To become sticky or clogged.
gum up
To ruin or bungle: gum up the works.
[Middle English gomme, from Old French, from Late Latin gumma, variant of Latin gummi, cummi, from Greek kommi, perhaps from Egyptian ḳmj-t.]