/ mjuːt; NAmE / adjective , noun , verb
■ adjective
1.
not speaking
SYN silent :
a look of mute appeal
The child sat mute in the corner of the room.
2.
( old-fashioned ) ( of a person ) unable to speak
SYN dumb
■ noun
1.
( music ) a device made of metal, rubber or plastic that you use to make the sound of a musical instrument softer
2.
( old-fashioned ) a person who is not able to speak
■ verb [ vn ]
1.
to make the sound of sth, especially a musical instrument, quieter or softer, sometimes using a mute :
He muted the strings with his palm.
2.
to make sth weaker or less severe :
She thought it better to mute her criticism.
SYN tone down
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WORD ORIGIN
Middle English : from Old French muet , diminutive of mu , from Latin mutus .