1. One who does not speak, whether from physical inability, unwillingness, or other cause. Specifically: One who, from deafness, either congenital or from early life, is unable to use articulate language; a deaf-mute.

A person employed by undertakers at a funeral.





1. Not speaking; uttering no sound; silent. "All the heavenly choir stood mute, And silence was in heaven." (Milton)

In law a prisoner is said to stand mute, when, upon being arranged, he makes no answer, or does not plead directly, or will not put himself on trial.

2. Incapable of speaking; dumb.

3. Not uttered; unpronounced; silent; also, produced by complete closure of the mouth organs which interrupt the passage of breath; said of certain letters. See 5th Mute.

4. Not giving a ringing sound when struck; said of a metal.

<zoology> Mute swan, a European wild white swan (Cygnus gibbus), which produces no loud notes.

Synonyms: Silent, dumb, speechless.

Mute, Silent, Dumb. One is silent who does not speak; one is dumb who can not, for want of the proper organs; as, a dumb beast, etc.; and hence, figuratively, we speak of a person as struck dumb with astonishment, etc. One is mute who is held back from speaking by some special cause; as, he was mute through fear; mute astonishment, etc. Such is the case with most of those who never speak from childhood; they are not ordinarily dumb, but mute because they are deaf, and therefore never learn to talk; and hence their more appropriate name is deaf-mutes. "They spake not a word; But, like dumb statues, or breathing stones, Gazed each on other." (Shak) "All sat mute, Pondering the danger with deep thoughts." (Milton)

Origin: L. Mutus; cf. Gr. To shut, Skr. Mta bound, mka dumb: cf. OE. Muet, fr. F. Muet, a dim. Of OF. Mu, L. Mutus.

(01 Mar 1998)

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