muffle

Muffle is defined as to wrap or cover for protection, to keep warm or make quiet.

(verb)

  1. An example of muffle is wrapping a citrus tree in a blanket to protect it from frost.
  2. An example of muffle is putting your hand over someone's mouth to keep them quiet.

The definition of a muffle is a kiln or furnace that keeps items put inside protected from direct flames.

(noun)

An example of a muffle is the device a potter would use to fire their clay bowls.

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See muffle in Webster's New World College Dictionary

transitive verb muffled, muffling

  1. to wrap up in a shawl, blanket, cloak, etc. so as to hide, keep warm, or protect
  2. Now Rare to keep (a person) from seeing or speaking by wrapping up the head
  3. to wrap or cover in order to deaden or prevent sound
  4. to deaden (a sound), as by wrapping
  5. to prevent the expression of; stifle

Origin: ME muflen, prob. akin to OFr enmouflé, muffled < moufle, a mitten: see muff

noun

  1. Now Rare a wrap, covering, etc. used for muffling
  2. an oven in which pottery, etc. can be fired without being exposed directly to the flame
  3. the fleshy bare part of the upper lip and nose of certain mammals, as ruminants or rabbits

See muffle in American Heritage Dictionary 4

transitive verb muf·fled, muf·fling, muf·fles
  1. To wrap up, as in a blanket or shawl, for warmth, protection, or secrecy.
  2. a. To wrap or pad in order to deaden the sound: muffled the drums.
    b. To deaden (a sound): The sand muffled the hoofbeats.
  3. To make vague or obscure: “His message was so muffled by learning and ‘artiness’” (Walter Blair).
  4. To repress; stifle.
noun
  1. Something that muffles.
  2. A kiln or part of a kiln in which pottery can be fired without being exposed to direct flame.

Origin:

Origin: Middle English muflen

Origin: , possibly from Old French mofler, to stuff

Origin: , from mofle, glove; see muff2

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noun
The fleshy, hairless snout of certain mammals, such as ruminants.

Origin:

Origin: French mufle

Origin: , perhaps blend of moufle, chubby face (from Old French; see muff2)

Origin: and museau, muzzle (from Old French musel; see muzzle)

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