glom
UK[ɡlɒm]US[ɡlɑːm]
v
To take or obtain something, especially in a quick or opportunistic way.
v
To stare or gaze at something intently.
Etymology
The verb 'glom' emerged in American English around the turn of the 20th century. Its precise origin is obscure, but it is widely considered a blend of 'grab' and the Scottish dialect word 'glom,' meaning 'to snatch' or 'to steal.' Another plausible influence is the alteration of the word 'glamour,' in the sense of casting a spell or captivating someone's attention, which may have contributed to its secondary meaning of staring fixedly. This journey from a probable colloquial fusion to a standard, if informal, lexical item exemplifies how English readily absorbs and reshapes words to create vivid, expressive verbs for everyday actions.
Analysis
The word 'glom' is a simplex word of uncertain origin, likely a blend or alteration of existing English words. It functions as a single, unanalyzable unit in modern English.
Examples
He tried to glom onto the last piece of cake before anyone else noticed.
The detective glommed the crucial evidence from the cluttered desk.
The child just sat there, glomming the colorful fish in the aquarium.