sourdine

noun

sour·​dine

ˈsu̇(ə)rˌdēn

plural -s

1

: any of several obsolete musical instruments distinguished by their low or soft tone: such as

a

: a trumpet used in giving soldiers the signal to march

b

: spinet

2

: mute entry 2 sense 3

Word History

Etymology

French, from Italian sordina, sordino, from sordo silent, dull-sounding, deaf (from Latin surdus) + -ina, -ino (diminutive suffixes)

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