Definition of mute

• v. t. - To cast off; to molt.
• v. t. & i. - To eject the contents of the bowels; -- said of birds.
• n. - The dung of birds.
• a. - Not speaking; uttering no sound; silent.
• a. - Incapable of speaking; dumb.
• a. - Not uttered; unpronounced; silent; also, produced by complete closure of the mouth organs which interrupt the passage of breath; -- said of certain letters. See 5th Mute, 2.
• a. - Not giving a ringing sound when struck; -- said of a metal.
• n. - One who does not speak, whether from physical inability, unwillingness, or other cause.
• n. - One who, from deafness, either congenital or from early life, is unable to use articulate language; a deaf-mute.
• n. - A person employed by undertakers at a funeral.
• n. - A person whose part in a play does not require him to speak.
• n. - Among the Turks, an officer or attendant who is selected for his place because he can not speak.
• n. - A letter which represents no sound; a silent letter; also, a close articulation; an element of speech formed by a position of the mouth organs which stops the passage of the breath; as, p, b, d, k, t.
• n. - A little utensil made of brass, ivory, or other material, so formed that it can be fixed in an erect position on the bridge of a violin, or similar instrument, in order to deaden or soften the tone.