a person who does not speak; specif., one who, deaf from infancy, has not learned to speak; deaf-mute
Now Rare a hired mourner at a funeral
a silent letter
Music any of various devices used to soften or muffle the tone of an instrument, as a block placed within the bell of a brass instrument or a piece set onto the bridge of a violin
Expressed without speech; unspoken: a mute appeal.
Law Refusing to plead when under arraignment.
Linguistics
a. Not pronounced; silent, as the e in the word house.
b. Pronounced with a temporary stoppage of breath, as the sounds (p) and (b); plosive; stopped.
noun
Often Offensive One who is incapable of speech.
Law A defendant who refuses to plead when under arraignment.
Music Any of various devices used to muffle or soften the tone of an instrument.
Linguistics
a. A silent letter.
b. A plosive; a stop.
transitive verbmut·ed, mut·ing, mutes
To soften or muffle the sound of.
To soften the tone, color, shade, or hue of.
Related Forms:
muteˈly adverb
muteˈness noun
Usage Note: In reference to people who are unable to speak, mute and deaf-mute are now often considered objectionable. The offense is due not only to the bluntness of these terms but also to the implication that a person who is incapable of oral speech is necessarily deprived of the use of language. In fact, many deaf people today communicate naturally and fully through the use of a sign language such as ASL, and no one who has witnessed such a conversation would ever think to call the participants mute. See Usage Note at deaf.