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).
Phrases and idioms:
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.
Derivatives:
mouthed adj. (also in comb.). mouther n. mouthless adj.
Etymology: OE muth f. Gmc