muter; mutest
1
: unable to speak : lacking the power of speech
2
: characterized by absence of speech: such as
a
: felt or experienced but not expressed
touched her hand in mute sympathy
her mute hostility
b
: refusing to plead directly or stand trial
the prisoner stands mute
3
: remaining silent, undiscovered, or unrecognized
The hounds generally hunt mute, so they can get close to the game.
4
a
: contributing nothing to the pronunciation of a word
the b in plumb is mute
b
: contributing to the pronunciation of a word but not representing the nucleus of a syllable
the e in mate is mute
mutely
adverb
muteness
noun
plural mutes
1
: a device attached to or inserted into a musical instrument to soften or alter its tone
3
dated, offensive
: a person who lacks the ability to speak
muted; muting
1
: to muffle, reduce, or eliminate the sound of
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Merriam-Webster unabridged
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