hump: Meaning and Definition of

hump

Pronunciation: (hump), [key]
— n.
  1. a rounded protuberance, esp. a fleshy protuberance on the back, as that due to abnormal curvature of the spine in humans, or that normally present in certain animals, as the camel or bison.
    1. a low, rounded rise of ground; hummock.
    2. a mountain or mountain range.
  2. (in a switchyard) a raised area down which cars pushed to its crest roll by gravity and momentum for automatic sorting through a series of preset switches.
  3. .
    1. an act or instance of coitus.
    2. a partner in coitus.
  4. to get the hump.
    1. Brit. Slang.a fit of depression or bad humor:to get the hump.
    2. (cap.) (in World War II) the Himalayas.
  5. past the most difficult, time-consuming, or dangerous part or period: The doctor says she's over the hump now and should improve steadily.
—v.t.
  1. to raise (the back) in a hump; hunch: The cat humped its back.
  2. to sort (cars) by means of a hump.
  3. to exert (oneself&hasp;) in a great effort.
  4. . to have sexual intercourse with.
    1. to place or bear on the back or shoulder.
    2. to carry or haul.
    3. to load or unload; lift.
—v.i.
  1. to rise in a hump.
  2. to exert oneself; hustle or hurry.
  3. . to engage in sexual intercourse.
Random House Unabridged Dictionary, Copyright © 1997, by Random House, Inc., on Infoplease.
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