Definitions
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 5th Edition.
- intransitive verb To speak indistinctly in low tones.
- intransitive verb To complain or grumble morosely.
- intransitive verb To utter or say in low indistinct tones.
- noun A low grumble or indistinct utterance.
from The Century Dictionary.
- To utter words in a low tone and with compressed lips, as in complaint or sullenness; murmur; grumble.
- To emit a low rumbling sound.
- To utter with imperfect articulation, or in a low murmuring tone.
- noun A murmur or murmuring; sullen or veiled utterance.
from the GNU version of the Collaborative International Dictionary of English.
- transitive verb To utter with imperfect articulations, or with a low voice.
- noun Repressed or obscure utterance.
- intransitive verb To utter words indistinctly or with a low voice and lips partly closed; esp., to utter indistinct complaints or angry expressions; to grumble; to growl.
- intransitive verb To sound with a low, rumbling noise.
from Wiktionary, Creative Commons Attribution/Share-Alike License.
- noun A repressed or obscure
utterance ; an instance of muttering. - noun
peas - verb To
utter words, especially complaints or angry expressions,indistinctly or with a low voice and lips partly closed; to sayunder one's breath . - verb To speak
softly andincoherently , or with imperfectarticulations . - verb To make a sound with a low,
rumbling noise.
from WordNet 3.0 Copyright 2006 by Princeton University. All rights reserved.
- verb talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice
- noun a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
- noun a complaint uttered in a low and indistinct tone
- verb make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath
Etymologies
from The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, 4th Edition
[Middle English muttren, possibly from Latin muttīre.]
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Examples
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sonofgroucho commented on the word mutter
Excellent word.
April 1, 2008
plethora commented on the word mutter
I always read this word wrong when I see it English, because I see it much more commonly in German.
April 1, 2008
bilby commented on the word mutter
I like the first WordNET definition. This is my brother's native language. He grew up speaking Mutter. He flirted with Japanese but he still speaks only Mutter. Rumours abound that he once fully pronounced an entire phrase but my brother denies it. Well, that's what I think he said. It's his Mutter tongue after all.
April 1, 2008
plethora commented on the word mutter
I have a background in Mutter too, bilby. I attempt to control it, though.
April 2, 2008
bilby commented on the word mutter
Whassat?
April 2, 2008
reesetee commented on the word mutter
Perhaps you both would enjoy visiting here. ;->
April 2, 2008
Kristianto2010 commented on the word mutter
Now the tax collectors and sinners were all gathering around to hear Jesus. But the Pharisees and the teachers of the law muttered, “This man welcomes sinners and eats with them.” Luke 15:1-2.
June 30, 2011