Definition of hump

humpnoun

cái bướu

/hʌmp//hʌmp/

The word "hump" is believed to have originated from the Old Norse word "humpr" which meant "humpbacked". This Old Norse word is thought to have been derived from the Proto-Germanic root "humpra-", which meant "bump" or "hump". The Old Norse word "humpr" spread to other Germanic languages, including Old English and Middle English, where it was spelled "humpre" and "humpre" respectively. In Middle English, the word "humpre" often appeared in contexts related to anatomical terminology, as it served to describe various bumps or protrusions on the human body, such as the hump on a camel's back, which is now the most commonly recognized use of the word "hump". The word eventually evolved to "hump" in Modern English, and its interpretation and usage in different contexts have continued to evolve over time. While the word "hump" initially carried connotations of discomfort or imperfection, it has since become a commonly used term in popular culture that often carries connotations of amusement, obstacle, or rivalry, as in expressions such as "hump day" (for Wednesday, traditionally considered to be the midpoint of the work week), "hump the competition" (to overcome a competitor), or "humpback whale" (a large marine mammal with a prominent hump on its back). This evolution in meaning is a testament to the adaptability and versatility of the English language and its rich history of borrowed words from other languages.

namespace

a large mass that sticks out above the surface of something, especially the ground

một khối lượng lớn nhô ra trên bề mặt của một cái gì đó, đặc biệt là mặt đất

Example:
  • the dark hump of the mountain in the distance

    cái bướu tối của ngọn núi ở phía xa

  • a road/speed/traffic hump (= a hump on a road that forces traffic to drive more slowly)

    một con đường/tốc độ/gờ giao thông (= một cái bướu trên đường buộc giao thông phải lái xe chậm hơn)

Related words and phrases

a large curved part on the back of some animals, especially camels

một phần cong lớn trên lưng của một số loài động vật, đặc biệt là lạc đà

a round part that sticks out on the back of a person, caused by an unusual curve in the spine (= the row of bones in the middle of the back)

một phần tròn nhô ra trên lưng người, gây ra bởi một đường cong bất thường ở cột sống (= hàng xương ở giữa lưng)

Related words and phrases

Idioms

be over the hump
to have done the most difficult part of something
bust a gut (doing something/to do something)
to make a great effort to do something
  • It’s a problem which nobody is going to bust a gut trying to solve.
  • I busted my chops to get into law school.
  • These guys were busting their butts on the field, trying to excel at athletics.
    • bust your hump/butt/chops (doing something/to do something)
    (informal)to make a great effort to do something
  • I busted my hump to get into law school.
  • These guys were busting their butts on the field, trying to excel at athletics.
  • It’s a problem which nobody is going to bust a gut trying to solve.
    • get/take the hump | give somebody the hump
    (British English, informal)to become annoyed or upset about something; to make somebody annoyed or upset about something
  • Fans get the hump when the team loses.
  • Politicians give me the hump.