mutely

mutely
mute ► ADJECTIVE 1) refraining from speech or temporarily speechless. 2) dated lacking the power of speech. 3) (of a letter) not pronounced.
► NOUN 1) dated a person without the power of speech. 2) historical a professional attendant or mourner at a funeral. 3) a clamp placed over the bridge of a stringed instrument to deaden the resonance of the strings. 4) a pad or cone placed in the opening of a wind instrument.
► VERB 1) deaden or muffle the sound of. 2) reduce the strength or intensity of. 3) (muted) (of colour or lighting) not bright; subdued.
DERIVATIVES mutely adverb muteness noun.
USAGE To describe a person without the power of speech as mute (especially as in deaf mute) is today likely to cause offence. Since there are no accepted alternative terms in general use, the solution may be to use a longer construction, such as she is both deaf and unable to speak .
ORIGIN Latin mutus.

English terms dictionary. 2015.

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Look at other dictionaries:

  • Mutely — Mute ly, adv. Without uttering words or sounds; in a mute manner; silently. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • mutely — (adv.) 1620s, from MUTE (Cf. mute) (adj.) + LY (Cf. ly) (2) …   Etymology dictionary

  • mutely — adv. Mutely is used with these verbs: ↑nod …   Collocations dictionary

  • mutely — adverb without speaking (Freq. 3) he sat mutely next to her • Syn: ↑wordlessly, ↑silently, ↑taciturnly • Derived from adjective: ↑taciturn (for: ↑ …   Useful english dictionary

  • mutely — adverb see mute I …   New Collegiate Dictionary

  • mutely — See mute. * * * …   Universalium

  • mutely — adverb In a mute manner …   Wiktionary

  • mutely — mjuːtlɪ adv. without noise, quietly, silently, soundlessly …   English contemporary dictionary

  • mutely — mute·ly …   English syllables

  • mutely — See: mute …   English dictionary

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