muffle

¹

[ muhf-uhl ]

verb (used with object)

, muf·fled, muf·fling.

1. to wrap with something to deaden or prevent sound:

   to muffle drums.

2. to deaden (sound) by wrappings or other means.
3. to wrap or envelop in a cloak, shawl, coat, etc., especially to keep warm or protect the face and neck (often followed by up ):

   Muffle up the children before they go out.

4. to wrap (oneself) in a garment or other covering:

   muffled in silk.

5. 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

1. something that muffles.
2. muffled sound.
3. an oven or arched chamber in a furnace or kiln, used for heating substances without direct contact with the fire.

muffle

²

[ muhf-uhl ]

noun

1. the thick, bare part of the upper lip and nose of ruminants and rodents.

muffle

¹

/ ˈmʌfəl /

noun

1. the fleshy hairless part of the upper lip and nose in ruminants and some rodents

muffle

²

/ ˈmʌfəl /

verb

1. often foll by up to wrap up (the head) in a scarf, cloak, etc, esp for warmth
2. to deaden (a sound or noise), esp by wrapping
3. to prevent (the expression of something) by (someone)

noun

1. something that muffles
2. a kiln with an inner chamber for firing porcelain, enamel, etc, at a low temperature

Word History and Origins

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

Word History and Origins

Origin of muffle¹

C17: from French mufle, of unknown origin

Origin of muffle²

C15: probably from Old French; compare Old French moufle mitten, emmouflé wrapped up

Example Sentences

JP puts his hand over Alex’s mouth to muffle the sound.

From Literature

“That way you’ll muffle the sound and not disturb anyone, but you’ll still hear a tap.”

From Literature

As explained by University of California Santa Barbara marine biologist Douglas McCauley, the best way to protect ocean life is to slow down ships, route ships away from whale habitats and develop new technologies to muffle ship noise.

From Salon

Ella draped her quilt on top of them to muffle their fussing, then arranged her headscarf on the pillow.

From Literature

He lived at the time in a mobile home in Hemet, where he stockpiled hundreds of rounds of ammunition, along with supplies to make suppressors that muffle a firearm’s blast.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• dampen
• deaden
• envelop
• hush
• mute
• muzzle
• soft pedal
• squelch
• stifle
• subdue
• tone down