mute

[ myoot ]
/ myut /
SEE SYNONYMS FOR mute ON THESAURUS.COM

adjective, mut·er, mut·est.

noun

verb (used with object), mut·ed, mut·ing.

to deaden or muffle the sound of.
to reduce the intensity of (a color) by the addition of another color.

Origin of mute

1325–75; < Latin mūtus dumb; replacing Middle English muet < Middle French, equivalent to Old French mu (< Latin mūtus) + unexplained suffix -et; cf. -et

usage note for mute

See dumb.

OTHER WORDS FROM mute

mute·ly, adverb mute·ness, noun

WORDS THAT MAY BE CONFUSED WITH mute

moot mute

Words nearby mute

mutato nomine, mutazila, mutazilite, mutch, mutchkin, mute, mute swan, muted, mutein, mutha, muti

Words related to mutely

quietly, calmly, noiselessly, stilly

Example sentences from the Web for mutely

British Dictionary definitions for mutely (1 of 2)

mute 1
/ (mjuːt) /

adjective

noun

verb (tr)

to reduce the volume of (a musical instrument) by means of a mute, soft pedal, etc
to subdue the strength of (a colour, tone, lighting, etc)

Derived forms of mute

mutely, adverb muteness, noun

Word Origin for mute

C14: muwet from Old French mu, from Latin mūtus silent

usage for mute

Using this word to refer to people without speech is considered outdated and offensive and should be avoided. The phrase profoundly deaf is a suitable alternative in many contexts

British Dictionary definitions for mutely (2 of 2)

mute 2
/ (mjuːt) archaic /

verb

(of birds) to discharge (faeces)

noun

birds' faeces

Word Origin for mute

C15: from Old French meutir, variant of esmeltir, of Germanic origin; probably related to smelt 1 and melt

Medical definitions for mutely

mute
[ myōōt ]

adj.

Unable or unwilling to speak.

n.

One who does not have the faculty of speech. No longer in technical use; considered offensive.