n. & v.
n. (pl. mouths) 1 a an external opening in the head, through which most animals admit food and emit communicative sounds. b (in humans and some animals) the cavity behind it containing the means of biting and chewing and the vocal organs. 2 a the opening of a container such as a bag or sack. b the opening of a cave, volcano, etc. c the open end of a woodwind or brass instrument. d the muzzle of a gun. 3 the place where a river enters the sea. 4 colloq. a talkativeness. b impudent talk; cheek. 5 an individual regarded as needing sustenance (an extra mouth to feed). 6 a horse's readiness to feel and obey the pressure of the bit.
v. 1 tr. & intr. utter or speak solemnly or with affectations; rant, declaim (mouthing platitudes). 2 tr. utter very distinctly. 3 intr. a move the lips silently. b grimace. 4 tr. take (food) in the mouth. 5 tr. touch with the mouth. 6 tr. train the mouth of (a horse). give mouth (of a dog) bark, bay. keep one's mouth shut colloq. not reveal a secret. mouth-organ = HARMONICA. mouth-to-mouth (of resuscitation) in which a person breathes into a subject's lungs through the mouth. mouth-watering 1 (of food etc.) having a delicious smell or appearance. 2 tempting, alluring. put words into a person's mouth represent a person as having said something in a particular way. take the words out of a person's mouth say what another was about to say. mouthed adj. (also in comb.). mouther n. mouthless adj.
[ OE muth f. Gmc ]