adjective

1. not speaking; voluntarily silent: often used figuratively
2. unable to speak
3. not spoken a mute appeal
4. silent () the letter e in “mouse” is mute

Etymology: ME mewet < OFr muet < mu < L mutus, silent: for IE base see mope

noun

1. a person who does not speak; specif., one who, deaf from infancy, has not learned to speak; deaf-mute
2. Now Rare a hired mourner at a funeral
3. a silent letter
4. 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

transitive verb muted mut′ed, muting mut′·ing

1. to soften or muffle the sound of (a musical instrument, etc.) as with a mute
2. to subdue the intensity of (a color)