muffle
1 Americanverb (used with object)
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to wrap with something to deaden or prevent sound.
to muffle drums.
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to deaden (sound) by wrappings or other means.
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to wrap or envelop in a cloak, shawl, coat, etc., especially to keep warm or protect the face and neck (often followed byup ).
Muffle up the children before they go out.
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to wrap (oneself) in a garment or other covering.
muffled in silk.
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to alter temporarily the profile of (a plaster mold) in order to run a base coat of plaster that will later be covered by a finish coat having the true profile.
noun
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something that muffles.
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muffled sound.
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an oven or arched chamber in a furnace or kiln, used for heating substances without direct contact with the fire.
noun
verb
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(often foll by up) to wrap up (the head) in a scarf, cloak, etc, esp for warmth
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to deaden (a sound or noise), esp by wrapping
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to prevent (the expression of something) by (someone)
noun
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something that muffles
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a kiln with an inner chamber for firing porcelain, enamel, etc, at a low temperature
noun
Etymology
Origin of muffle1
First recorded in 1450–1500; late Middle English muffelen “to veil, cover”; probably a derivative of Old French moufle “mitten”; muff
Origin of muffle2
First recorded in 1600–10; from Middle French mufle “muzzle, snout,” probably blend of moufle “chubby face” and museau muzzle
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Art is long, and Time is fleeting; And our hearts, though stout and brave, Still, like muffled drums, are beating Funeral marches to the grave.
From Literature
Her eyes were wide open and her front paws covered her mouth to muffle any cries of shock.
From Literature
Before long I heard muffled voices in the distance.
From Literature
State said China had used a technique known as decoupling to muffle the register and evade detection.
Danny tried to cover his ears but it didn’t muffle the sound.
From Literature
Definitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
