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Definition of mute : 1. 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.
2. 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.
3. A person employed by undertakers at a funeral.
4. A person whose part in a play does not require him to speak.
5. Among the Turks, an officer or attendant who is selected for his place because he can not speak.
6. Incapable of speaking; dumb.
7. Not giving a ringing sound when struck; - said of a metal.
8. Not speaking; uttering no sound; silent.
9. 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, 2.
10. One who does not speak, whether from physical inability, unwillingness, or other cause.
11. One who, from deafness, either congenital or from early life, is unable to use articulate language; a deaf- mute.
12. The dung of birds.
13. To cast off; to molt.
14. To eject the contents of the bowels; - said of birds.

Synonyms:

stifle, break, words, dim, slow, repress, tame, tone down, benumb, deaf-and-dumb person, strangle, noisy, nonspeaking, unverbalized, soften, unstated, tacit, unuttered, reserved, muffle, unvoiced, reticent, pall, understood, unsounded, surprised, obtuse, aphonic, tongueless, bewildered, deaden, wash, uncommunicative, unspoken, walk-on, weaken, vocal, dense, unverbalised, blunt, dampen, close, numb, inarticulate, unarticulate, unexpressed, moisten, damp, smother, wordless, unsaid, moderate, deaf-mute

silent, speechless, mum, dumb, taciturn, voiceless, tongue-tied

lull, hush, silence, shush

lulled, noiseless, inaudible, hushed, quiet, still, soundless

muffled, dull, non-resonant, silenced, deadened, flat, dead, damped

Usage examples:

• He lifted his well- shaped head and gazed at the Countess with an admirable pathos which seemed a mute appeal for protection from brutality. - "The Maids of Paradise", Robert W. (Robert William) Chambers.
• Then she turned to leave the room with old Ulrich, who only shook his head, but remained as mute as a fish. - "Sidonia The Sorceress V1", William Mienhold.
• There were several prisoners standing mute in the corridor outside, and I remarked that they were a pale looking crew. - "Prisoner for Blasphemy", G. W. [George William] Foote.