Gum

1. Any of various viscous substances that are exuded by certain plants and trees and dry into water-soluble, non-crystalline, brittle solids. Gum often is used by the trees to deflect damage in their wounds from insects.
2. Chewing gum. My wife is addicted to chewing gum.
2. The firm connective tissue covered by mucous membrane that envelopes the alveolar arches of the jaw and surrounds the bases of the teeth. Disease of the gums can lead to the loss of teeth.
3. To chew (food) with toothless gums. The old lady had to gum her food.
4. To ruin or bungle. His bad behavior gummed up the works.