Pronunciation: [spjˈuːm] (IPA) 
The word "spume" refers to the frothy, foamy substance found on the surface of liquid, such as waves on the ocean. It is spelled with the letters s-p-u-m-e. The phonetic transcription of "spume" is /spjuːm/. The first sound is "s", pronounced as /s/, followed by a "p" sound, pronounced as /p/. The "u" in "spume" is pronounced as /juː/ in UK English or /u/ in US English. Finally, the "m" sound is pronounced as /m/.
Spume refers to a foamy substance formed on the surface of a liquid, typically water, as a result of agitation, turbulence, or fermentation. It consists of a collection of small, closely packed bubbles that appear white and frothy, resembling substances such as soap lather or sea foam. The term is often used to describe the froth or foam created by breaking waves, especially in the ocean or other bodies of water.
Spume can be found in various natural environments, such as waterfalls, rivers, or rocky shores, where the movement of water against solid objects generates turbulence and produces froth. It can also be seen during processes involving fermentation, such as in brewing or winemaking, where the action of yeast causes the production of bubbles that accumulate on the liquid's surface.
The word "spume" originates from the Latin word "spūma," which means foam. It conveys the visual aspect of the foamy substance by emphasizing the fine texture and the way the bubbles clump and gather together. Besides its natural occurrences, spume can also be produced artificially, for example, when a liquid is vigorously shaken or stirred, resulting in the formation of bubbles and foam.
In literature, spume can be used poetically to evoke images of energy, movement, and the relentless power of the sea. It serves as a visual metaphor for the dynamic and ever-changing nature of water and symbolizes the constant ebb and flow of life.
• To froth; to foam.
• Froth; foam; scum.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word spume originated from the Latin term spuma, which means foam. It was then adapted into Old French as eschume and later Middle English as eschaume. In modern English, it eventually transformed into spume. The term spuma originated from the Proto-Indo-European root *spei-, meaning to spit or throw out, which is also related to other words such as spit, spat, and spew.
