| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language: Fourth Edition. 2000. |
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| pump1 |
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| PRONUNCIATION: |  p mp |
| NOUN: | 1. A machine or device for raising, compressing, or transferring fluids. 2. Physiology A molecular mechanism for the active transport of ions or molecules across a cell membrane. 3. Physics Electromagnetic radiation used to raise atoms or molecules to a higher energy level. 4. Informal The heart. | | VERB: | Inflected forms: pumped, pump·ing, pumps
| | TRANSITIVE VERB: | 1. To raise or cause to flow by means of a pump. 2. To draw, deliver, or pour forth as if with a pump. 3. To remove the water from: pump out a flooded basement. 4. To cause to move with the up-and-down motion of a pump handle: a bicyclist pumping the pedals. 5. To propel, eject, or insert with or as if with a pump: pumped new life into the economy. 6. Physics To raise (atoms or molecules) to a higher energy level by exposing them to electromagnetic radiation at a resonant frequency. 7. Physiology To transport (ions or molecules) against a concentration gradient by the expenditure of chemically stored energy. 8. To question closely or persistently: pump a witness for secret information. | | INTRANSITIVE VERB: | 1. To operate a pump. 2. To raise or move gas or liquid with a pump. 3. To move up and down in the manner of a pump handle. 4. Sports To fake a throw, pass, or shot by moving the arm or arms without releasing the ball. | | PHRASAL VERB: | pump up 1. To inflate with gas by means of a pump: pump up a tire. 2. Slang To fill with enthusiasm, strength, and energy: The lively debate really pumped us up. 3. Sports To be actively involved in a bodybuilding program: athletes pumping up at the gym. | | IDIOM: | pump iron Sports To lift weights. | | ETYMOLOGY: | Middle English pumpe. | | OTHER FORMS: | pump er —NOUN
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| The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition. Copyright © 2000 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by the Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved. |
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