muzzle

[ muhz-uhl ]

noun

1. the mouth, or end for discharge, of the barrel of a gun, pistol, etc.
2. the projecting part of the head of an animal, including jaws, mouth, and nose.
3. a device, usually an arrangement of straps or wires, placed over an animal's mouth to prevent the animal from biting, eating, etc.

verb (used with object)

, muz·zled, muz·zling.

1. to put a muzzle on (an animal or its mouth) so as to prevent biting, eating, etc.
2. to restrain from speech, the expression of opinion, etc.:

   The censors muzzled the press.

   Synonyms: suppress, still, quiet, silence

3. Nautical. to attach the cable to the stock of (an anchor) by means of a light line to permit the anchor to be pulled loose readily.

muzzle

/ ˈmʌzəl /

noun

1. the projecting part of the face, usually the jaws and nose, of animals such as the dog and horse
2. a guard or strap fitted over an animal's nose and jaws to prevent it biting or eating
3. the front end of a gun barrel

verb

1. to prevent from being heard or noticed

   to muzzle the press

2. to put a muzzle on (an animal)
3. to take in (a sail)

Derived Forms

• ˈmuzzler, noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of muzzle¹

1350–1400; Middle English musel < Middle French < Medieval Latin mūsellum, diminutive of mūsum snout < ?

Word History and Origins

Origin of muzzle¹

C15 mosel, from Old French musel, diminutive of muse snout, from Medieval Latin mūsus, of unknown origin

Example Sentences

They observed six of the animals licking nectar-filled flowers from as many as 30 plants, one after another—coating their muzzles in pollen in the process.

From Science Magazine

The frozen cub provides new revelations about its soft tissue anatomy such as the shape of its ears, muzzle, muscles, and broad feet adapted to walking in deep snow.

From Science Magazine

The man was spotted hiding in bushes near the golf course with the muzzle of a rifle sticking out through the shrubbery.

From BBC

Rights groups and opposition parties have condemned the ban, describing it as a move to muzzle the media in the country.

From BBC

Prison officials tried to muzzle Chessman, but he kept writing and had pages smuggled out.

From Los Angeles Times

Related Words

• censor
• choke
• clamp down on
• crack down on
• muffle
• repress
• restrain
• squelch
• stifle
• suppress