Lexic.us

Definition of Mute

1. Adjective. Expressed without speech. "Choking exasperation and wordless shame"

2. Verb. Deaden (a sound or noise), especially by wrapping.

3. Noun. A deaf person who is unable to speak.

4. Adjective. Unable to speak because of hereditary deafness.

5. Noun. A device used to soften the tone of a musical instrument.

Definition of Mute

1. v. t. To cast off; to molt.

2. v. t. & i. To eject the contents of the bowels; -- said of birds.

3. n. The dung of birds.

4. a. Not speaking; uttering no sound; silent.

5. n. One who does not speak, whether from physical inability, unwillingness, or other cause.

Definition of Mute

1. Adjective. Not having the power of speech; dumb. (defdate from 15th c.) ¹

2. Adjective. Silent; not making a sound. (defdate from 15th c.) ¹

3. Noun. (context: phonetics now historical) A stopped consonant; a stop. (defdate from 16th c.) ¹

4. Noun. (context: obsolete theatre) An actor who does not speak; a mime performer. (defdate 16th-19th c.) ¹

5. Noun. A person who does not have the power of speech. (defdate from 17th c.) ¹

6. Noun. A hired mourner at a funeral; an undertaker's assistant. (defdate from 18th c.) ¹

7. Noun. (music) An object for dulling the sound of an instrument, especially a brass instrument, or damper for pianoforte; a sordine. (defdate from 18th c.) ¹

8. Verb. (transitive) To silence, to make quiet. ¹

9. Verb. (transitive) To turn off the sound of. ¹

10. Verb. (rare) Of a bird: to defecate. (defdate from 15th c.) ¹

11. Noun. The faeces of a hawk or falcon. ¹

¹ Source: wiktionary.com

Definition of Mute

1. characterized by an absence of speech [adj MUTER, MUTEST] : MUTELY [adv] / to deaden the sound of [v MUTED, MUTING, MUTES] : MUTEDLY [adv]

Medical Definition of Mute

1. 1. One who does not speak, whether from physical inability, unwillingness, or other cause. Specifically: One who, from deafness, either congenital or from early life, is unable to use articulate language; a deaf-mute. A person employed by undertakers at a funeral. A person whose part in a play does not require him to speak. Among the Turks, an officer or attendant who is selected for his place because he can not speak. 2. A letter which represents no sound; a silent letter; also, a close articulation; an element of speech formed by a position of the mouth organs which stops the passage of the breath; as, p, b, d, k, t. 3. A little utensil made of brass, ivory, or other material, so formed that it can be fixed in an erect position on the bridge of a violin, or similar instrument, in order to deaden or soften the tone. 1. Not speaking; uttering no sound; silent. "All the heavenly choir stood mute, And silence was in heaven." (Milton) In law a prisoner is said to stand mute, when, upon being arranged, he makes no answer, or does not plead directly, or will not put himself on trial. 2. Incapable of speaking; dumb. 3. Not uttered; unpronounced; silent; also, produced by complete closure of the mouth organs which interrupt the passage of breath; said of certain letters. See 5th Mute. 4. Not giving a ringing sound when struck; said of a metal. Mute swan, a European wild white swan (Cygnus gibbus), which produces no loud notes. Synonym: Silent, dumb, speechless. Mute, Silent, Dumb. One is silent who does not speak; one is dumb who can not, for want of the proper organs; as, a dumb beast, etc.; and hence, figuratively, we speak of a person as struck dumb with astonishment, etc. One is mute who is held back from speaking by some special cause; as, he was mute through fear; mute astonishment, etc. Such is the case with most of those who never speak from childhood; they are not ordinarily dumb, but mute because they are deaf, and therefore never learn to talk; and hence their more appropriate name is deaf-mutes. "They spake not a word; But, like dumb statues, or breathing stones, Gazed each on other." (Shak) "All sat mute, Pondering the danger with deep thoughts." (Milton) Origin: L. Mutus; cf. Gr. To shut, Skr. Mta bound, mka dumb: cf. OE. Muet, fr. F. Muet, a dim. Of OF. Mu, L. Mutus. Source: Websters Dictionary (01 Mar 1998)

Lexicographical Neighbors of Mute

mutationally mutationless mutations mutatis characteribus mutatis mutandis mutative mutator mutators mutatory mutawa

mutaween mutch mutches mutchkin mutchkins mute cancel mute e mute h mute point mute swan

mute swans muteable muted muted tidal regime mutedly mutein mutely muteness mutenesses

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