First Known Use: 1513
Dictionary
1mute
adjective \ˈmyüt\
: not able or willing to speak
: felt or expressed without the use of words
mut·ermut·est
Full Definition of MUTE
1
: unable to speak : lacking the power of speech
2
: characterized by absence of speech: as a : felt or experienced but not expressed <touched her hand in mute sympathy> b : refusing to plead directly or stand trial <the prisoner stands mute>
3
: remaining silent, undiscovered, or unrecognized
4
a : contributing nothing to the pronunciation of a word <the b in plumb is mute> b : contributing to the pronunciation of a word but not representing the nucleus of a syllable <the e in mate is mute>
— mute·ly adverb
— mute·ness noun
See mute defined for English-language learners
See mute defined for kids
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Origin of MUTE
Middle English muet, mut, from Anglo-French, from mu, mute, from Latin mutus, probably from mu, representation of a muttered sound
Related to MUTE
- Synonyms
- inarticulate, speechless, voiceless
- Antonyms
- communicative, speaking, talking
2mute
noun
Definition of MUTE
1
: stop 9
2
: a person who cannot or does not speak
3
: a device attached to or inserted into a musical instrument to soften or alter its tone
See mute defined for English-language learners
First Known Use of MUTE
1530
Related to MUTE
- Synonyms
- damper
3mute
verb
mut·edmut·ing
Definition of MUTE
transitive verb
1
: to muffle, reduce, or eliminate the sound of
First Known Use of MUTE
1883
4mute
verb
mut·edmut·ing
Definition of MUTE
intransitive verb
of a bird : to evacuate the cloaca
Origin of MUTE
Middle English, from Anglo-French *meutir, short for ameutir, alteration of Old French esmeltir, of Germanic origin; akin to Middle Dutch smelten to melt, make fluid, defecate (of birds)
First Known Use: 15th century
MUTE Defined for Kids
1mute
adjective \ˈmyüt\
mut·ermut·est
Definition of MUTE for Kids
1
: unable or unwilling to speak <The shy boy sat mute through class.>
2
: felt or expressed without the use of words <He touched her hand in mute sympathy.>
2mute
noun
Definition of MUTE for Kids
1
: a person who cannot or does not speak
2
: a device on a musical instrument that deadens, softens, or muffles its tone
3mute
verb
mut·edmut·ing
Definition of MUTE for Kids
: to soften or reduce the sound of <We muted our voices.>
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