Definition of Mumble

1. Verb. Talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice. "They mumble that there was a traffic accident "

Exact synonyms: Maunder, Mussitate, Mutter
Generic synonyms: Mouth, Speak, Talk, Utter, Verbalise, Verbalize
Derivative terms: Mumbler, Mumbling, Mussitation, Mutter, Mutterer, Muttering

2. Noun. A soft indistinct utterance.
Generic synonyms: Utterance, Vocalization

3. Verb. Grind with the gums; chew without teeth and with great difficulty. ; "The old man had no teeth left and mumbled his food"
Exact synonyms: Gum
Generic synonyms: Chew, Jaw, Manducate, Masticate
Derivative terms: Gum, Gumming, Mumbling

Definition of Mumble

1. v. t. To speak with the lips partly closed, so as to render the sounds inarticulate and imperfect; to utter words in a grumbling indistinct manner, indicating discontent or displeasure; to mutter.

2. v. t. To utter with a low, inarticulate voice.

Definition of Mumble

1. Verb. (context: transitive intransitive) To speak unintelligibly or inaudibly; to fail to articulate. ¹

2. Noun. A quiet or unintelligible vocalization. ¹

3. Noun. A low tone of voice. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Mumble

1. to speak unclearly [v -BLED, -BLING, -BLES]

Lexicographical Neighbors of Mumble

multizipper
multizonal
multizone
multocular
multum
multums
multungulate
multure
multured
multurer
multurers
multures
multuring
mum
mum's the word
mumble (current term)
mumble-the-peg
mumblecore
mumbled
mumblenews
mumblenewses
mumbler
mumblers
mumbles
mumbleth
mumblety-peg
mumblety peg
mumbletypeg
mumbling
mumblingly

Literary usage of Mumble

Below you will find example usage of this term as found in modern and/or classical literature:

1. Plantation Songs: And Other Verse by Ruth McEnery Stuart (1916)
"Shoes on yo' feet, Good bread an' meat, No work to do De long day th'ough; Yit, Mammy mumble-low, All day long you grumble so— Ol' Mammy mumble-low! ..."

2. A Dictionary of English Etymology by Hensleigh Wedgwood, John Christopher Atkinson (1872)
"as to mump food (Webster) ; to mumble, to chew with toothless gums ... jumla, to chew laboriously, to mumble, leading to the Yorkshire yam, to eat; Camming, ..."

3. Crabb's English Synonyms by George Crabb (1917)
"mumble. These are all imitative words signifying methods of vocal expression. Between jabber and gabble ... mumble suggests a different type of utterance. ..."

4. An Etymological Dictionary of the English Language by Walter William Skeat (1893)
"Thus the origin is much the same as in the case of mum, mumble ; see Mum. ... The original notion was to mumble, hence to mutter, be sulky, ..."

5. A Glossary: Or, Collection of Words, Phrases, Names, and Allusions to by Robert Nares, James Orchard Halliwell-Phillipps, Thomas Wright (1901)
"In the following passage the allusion i* only jocular, applying the same form of words to a different purpose. ] have a priest will mumble up a marriage, ..."

6. The Minor Elizabethan Drama by Ashley Horace Thorndike (1913)
"M. mumble. Dame Custance hath promised us good ale and white bread. Tib. Talk. ... Soft fire maketh sweet malt, good Madge mumble- crust. M. mumble. ..."

7. A Glossary: Or, Collection of Words, Phrases, Names, and Allusions to by Robert Nares (1859)
"I have a priest will mumble up a marriage, Without bell, boot, or candle. Sam Alley, O. PI, v, 447. Where the candle seems only to be added from the custom ..."

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