mouth

The definition of a mouth is the opening of something, particularly the opening through which a person talks and eats.

(noun)

  1. An example of a mouth is how a person takes in food.
  2. An example of a mouth is where a river empties into a larger body of water.

To mouth is defined as to speak without sound or in an insincere manner.

(verb)

An example of to mouth is for a child to talk back to his parents.

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See mouth in Webster's New World College Dictionary

noun pl. mouths

  1. the opening through which an animal takes in food; specif., the cavity, or the entire structure, in the head of any of the higher animals which contains the teeth and tongue and through which sounds are uttered
    1. the mouth regarded as the organ of chewing and tasting
    2. the mouth regarded as the organ of speech
  2. a person or animal regarded as a being needing food: six mouths to feed
  3. the lips, or the part of the face surrounding the lips
  4. a wry expression of the face; grimace: now only in the phrase
  5. any opening regarded as like the mouth; specif.,
    1. the part of a river, stream, etc. where the water empties into another body of water
    2. the opening into the earth of a cave, volcano, tunnel, etc.
    3. the opening of a container, through which it is filled or emptied
    4. the front opening in the barrel of a gun
    5. the opening between the jaws of a vise, etc.
    6. the opening between the lips of an organ pipe
    7. the opening in a flute across which the player blows

Origin: ME < OE muth, akin to Ger mund < IE base *menth-, to chew > Gr masasthai, L mandere, to chew

transitive verb

    1. to say, esp. in an affected, oratorical, or insincere manner; declaim
    2. to form (a word) with the mouth soundlessly
  1. to take or put into the mouth
  2. to caress or rub with the mouth or lips
  3. to train (a horse) to become accustomed to the bit

intransitive verb

  1. to speak in an affected or oratorical manner; declaim
  2. Rare to make a wry face by twisting the mouth; grimace

Related Forms:

See mouth in American Heritage Dictionary 4

noun pl. mouths mouths (mouÞz)
  1. a. The body opening through which an animal takes in food.
    b. The cavity lying at the upper end of the alimentary canal, bounded on the outside by the lips and inside by the oropharynx and containing in higher vertebrates the tongue, gums, and teeth.
    c. This cavity regarded as the source of sounds and speech.
    d. The opening to any cavity or canal in an organ or a bodily part.
  2. The part of the lips visible on the human face.
  3. A person viewed as a consumer of food: has three mouths to feed at home.
  4. A pout, grimace, or similar expression.
  5. a. Utterance; voice: gave mouth to her doubts.
    b. A tendency to talk excessively or unwisely.
    c. Impudent or vulgar talk: Watch your mouth.
  6. A spokesperson: a mouthpiece.
  7. A natural opening, as the part of a stream or river that empties into a larger body of water or the entrance to a harbor, canyon, valley, or cave.
  8. The opening through which a container is filled or emptied.
  9. The opening between the jaws of a vise or other holding or gripping tool.
  10. Music
    a. An opening in the pipe of an organ.
    b. The opening in the mouthpiece of a flute across which the player blows.
verb (mouÞ) mouthed, mouth·ing, mouths mouths
verb, transitive
  1. To speak or pronounce, especially:
    a. To declare in a pompous manner; declaim: mouthing his opinions of the candidates.
    b. To utter without conviction or understanding: mouthing empty compliments.
    c. To form soundlessly: I mouthed the words as the others sang.
    d. To utter indistinctly; mumble.
  2. To take or move around in the mouth.
verb, intransitive
  1. To orate affectedly; declaim.
  2. To grimace.
Phrasal Verb: mouth off Slang To express one's opinions or complaints in a loud, indiscreet manner. To speak impudently; talk back.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English

Origin: , from Old English mūth; see men-2 in Indo-European roots

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mouth

A. hard palate B. lips C. teeth D. salivary glands E. trachea F. esophagus G. soft palate H. tongue

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