First published 1885; not fully revised More entries for barm
Factsheet
What does the verb barm mean?
There are two meanings listed in OED's entry for the verb barm. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
Entry status
OED is undergoing a continuous programme of revision to modernize and improve definitions. This entry has not yet been fully revised.
How common is the verb barm?
Fewer than 0.01occurrences per million words in modern written English
See frequency
How is the verb barm pronounced?
British English
/bɑːm/
barm
U.S. English
/bɑrm/
barm
See pronunciation
Where does the verb barm come from?
Earliest known use
Middle English
The earliest known use of the verb barm is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).
OED's earliest evidence for barm is from around 1440, in Promptorium Parvulorum.
It is also recorded as a noun from the Old English period (pre-1150).
barm is formed within English, by conversion.
Etymons: barm n.2
See etymology
Nearby entries
- barley-sele, n.c1440
- barley-straw, n.a1721–
- barley sugar, n.1702–
- barley water, n.c1320–
- barley wine, n.1728–
- barling, n.1611–1769
- barlow knife, n.1779–
- barly-lepe, n.c1440
- barm, n.¹Old English–1522
- barm, n.²Old English–
- barm, v.c1440–
- bar magnet, n.1821–
- barmaid, n.a1657–
- barman, n.1657–
- barmaster, n.a1661–
- barmbrack, n.1878–
- barm cake, n.1880–
- barm-cloth, n.Old English–1870
- barmecidal, adj.1844–
- Barmecide, n.1713–
- barm-fel, n.c1350
Browse more nearby entries
Etymology
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Meaning & use
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