mutes plural, 3rd person present; muting present participle; muted past tense, past participle
Someone who is mute is silent for a particular reason and does not speak. ADJ
He was mute, distant, and indifferent.
I threw a mute look of appeal at Paula.
Mute is also an adverb. ADV ADV after v
He could watch her standing mute by the phone.
He sat mute, speechless with ecstasy, gazing into the sky.
mutely ADV ADV with v
I crouched by him and grasped his hand, mutely offering what comfort I could.
Someone who is mute is unable to speak. ADJ old-fashioned
Marianna, the duke's daughter, became mute after a shock.
If someone mutes something such as their feelings or their activities, they reduce the strength or intensity of them. VERB
The corruption does not seem to have muted the country's prolonged economic boom. V n
muted ADJ ADJ-GRADED
The threat contrasted starkly with his administration's previous muted criticism.
The financial markets gave a muted response to the Democrats' triumph.
If you mute a noise or sound, you lower its volume or make it less distinct. VERB
They begin to mute their voices, not be as assertive. V n
At first the wooded hillsides muted the sounds. V n
muted ADJ ADJ-GRADED
`Yes,' he muttered, his voice so muted I hardly heard his reply.
There were muted cheers from the public gallery.
A mute is a device which can be used to make a musical instrument produce a quieter, softer sound. N-COUNT
Related phrases
deaf-mute
A deaf-mute is someone who cannot hear or speak. This word could cause offence.
deaf mute
a person who is unable to hear or speak
mute button
a switch on a telephone that you press in order to stop yourself from being heard by the person you are calling |