muzzle

[ muhz-uhl ]
/ ˈmʌz əl /

noun

the mouth, or end for discharge, of the barrel of a gun, pistol, etc.
the projecting part of the head of an animal, including jaws, mouth, and nose.
a device, usually an arrangement of straps or wires, placed over an animal's mouth to prevent the animal from biting, eating, etc.

verb (used with object), muz·zled, muz·zling.

to put a muzzle on (an animal or its mouth) so as to prevent biting, eating, etc.
to restrain from speech, the expression of opinion, etc.: The censors muzzled the press.
Nautical. to attach the cable to the stock of (an anchor) by means of a light line to permit the anchor to be pulled loose readily.

Origin of muzzle

1350–1400; Middle English musel < Middle French < Medieval Latin mūsellum, diminutive of mūsum snout < ?

SYNONYMS FOR muzzle

5 silence, quiet, still, supress.

Example sentences from the Web for muzzle

British Dictionary definitions for muzzle

muzzle
/ (ˈmʌzəl) /

noun

the projecting part of the face, usually the jaws and nose, of animals such as the dog and horse
a guard or strap fitted over an animal's nose and jaws to prevent it biting or eating
the front end of a gun barrel

verb (tr)

to prevent from being heard or noticed to muzzle the press
to put a muzzle on (an animal)
to take in (a sail)

Derived forms of muzzle

muzzler, noun

Word Origin for muzzle

C15 mosel, from Old French musel, diminutive of muse snout, from Medieval Latin mūsus, of unknown origin