Pronunciation: [tˈʌmp] (IPA) 
The word "Tump" is often spelled incorrectly due to its unusual phonetic composition. The correct spelling of this word is /tʌmp/, with a short "u" and a "p" sound at the end. This word is used to describe a small hill or mound, and is derived from the Old English word "tumpian", meaning "to heap up". While it may seem like a simple word to spell, its unique sound can often lead to misspellings such as "thump" or "tomp".
Tump is a verb that is primarily used in British English, especially in rural or dialectal contexts, to describe the act of overturning or tipping over something, particularly a large object or a container. It can also be used as a noun referring to the instance or result of such an overturning or tipping.
When used as a verb, tump implies an accidental or careless action that leads to the object or container losing its upright position and falling or spilling its contents. The term can be applied to a wide range of scenarios, from an individual accidentally tumping over a bucket of water to a vehicle tumping due to a sudden impact or loss of control.
As a noun, tump refers to the state or aftermath of an overturning or tipping. It can be used to describe the resulting mess or chaos caused by the tump, such as a pile of spilled fruit after a market stall tumps over. Tump can also be used as a descriptive term for a specific feature, such as a hillock or small mound, particularly in British dialects.
Overall, tump is a versatile term used to describe the act of overturning or tipping and its consequences. Its usage is often regional or colloquial, and it adds color and specificity to descriptions of accidents or messes involving the displacement of large objects or containers.
• A little hillock; a knoll.
• To throw up the earth around a tree so as to form a hillock.
Etymological and pronouncing dictionary of the English language. By Stormonth, James, Phelp, P. H. Published 1874.
The word "tump" has a few different etymological origins depending on its specific usage and context.
1. As a noun meaning a small hill or mound, "tump" comes from the Old English word "tump", which means a hillock or a knoll. This word has Germanic roots and can be traced back to the Proto-Germanic word "tumpaz".
2. As a verb meaning to fall or overturn, "tump" is related to the English dialect word "dump" and is likely derived from the Middle English word "tumpen". Its exact origin is uncertain, but it is thought to be imitative of the sound or motion made when something falls or tips over.
3. In African American Vernacular English (AAVE), "tump" is used to describe loud music or bass that produces a deep and heavy vibration.
