Main Entry:

¹ham

Pronunciation:

\ˈham\

Function:

noun

Etymology:

Middle English hamme, from Old English hamm; akin to Old High German hamma ham, Greek knēmē shinbone, Old Irish cnáim bone

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: the hollow of the knee b: a buttock with its associated thigh —usually used in plural2: a cut of meat consisting of a thigh ; especially : one from a hog3 [short for hamfatter, from “The Ham-fat Man,” minstrel song] a: a showy performer ; especially : an actor performing in an exaggerated theatrical style b: a licensed operator of an amateur radio station4: a cushion used especially by tailors for pressing curved areas of garments

— ham adjective