- 1.1 Etymology
- 1.2 Pronunciation
- 1.3.1 Derived terms
- 1.3.2 Translations
- 1.4.1 Derived terms
- 1.4.2 Translations
- 1.5 References
English [ edit ]
Etymology [ edit ]
From earlier muzle , musle , mousle , mussel , mozell , from Middle English mosel , from Old French musel , museau , muzeau (modern French museau ), from Late Latin mūsus ( “ snout ” ) , probably expressive of the shape of protruded lips and/or influenced by Latin mūgīre ( “ to moo, bellow ” ) . Doublet of museau . Displaced native Middle English kevel from Old English cæfl ( “ gag, bit, muzzle ” ) , see English cavel .
Pronunciation [ edit ]
- Rhymes: -ʌzəl
Noun [ edit ]
muzzle ( plural muzzles )
- 1915 June , T[homas] S[tearns] Eliot , “ The Love Song of J. Alfred Prufrock ”, in Prufrock and Other Observations , London: The Egotist [ … ] , published 1917 , →OCLC , page 10 : The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes, / The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes, [ … ]
- ( slang , derogatory , by extension ) A person's mouth.
- A device used to prevent an animal from biting or eating , which is worn on its snout .
- ( firearms ) The mouth or the end for entrance or discharge of a gun , pistol etc., that the bullet emerges from. Coordinate term: breech
- ( chiefly Scotland ) A piece of the forward end of the plow-beam by which the traces are attached. Synonym: bridle
- ( obsolete , historical ) An openwork covering for the nose, used for the defense of the horse, and forming part of the bards in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Derived terms [ edit ]
- muzzle blast
- muzzle booster
- muzzle brake
- muzzle compensator
- muzzle energy
- muzzle flash
- muzzle-loader
- muzzleloader
- muzzle-loading
- muzzleloading
- muzzle sweep
- muzzle velocity
Translations [ edit ]
Verb [ edit ].
muzzle ( third-person singular simple present muzzles , present participle muzzling , simple past and past participle muzzled )
- 1611 , The Holy Bible, [ … ] ( King James Version ), London: [ … ] Robert Barker , [ … ] , →OCLC , Deuteronomy 25:4 : Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.
- 1919 , Boris Sidis , The Source and Aim of Human Progress : Man is brow-beaten, leashed, muzzled , masked, and lashed by boards and councils, by leagues and societies, by church and state.
- ( transitive , obsolete ) To veil , mask , muffle .
- 1692 , Roger L’Estrange , “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.) ”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: [ … ] , London: [ … ] R [ ichard ] Sare, [ … ] , →OCLC : Venus her self would sit Muzzling and Gazing them in the Eyes
- 1692 , Roger L’Estrange , “ (please specify the fable number.) (please specify the name of the fable.) ”, in Fables, of Æsop and Other Eminent Mythologists: [ … ] , London: [ … ] R [ ichard ] Sare, [ … ] , →OCLC : The Bear comes directly up to him, Muzzles and Smells to him.
References [ edit ]
- “ muzzle ”, in The Century Dictionary [ … ] , New York, N.Y.: The Century Co. , 1911 , →OCLC .
- English terms inherited from Middle English
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[ muhz - uh l ]
- the mouth, or end for discharge, of the barrel of a gun, pistol, etc.
- the projecting part of the head of an animal, including jaws, mouth, and nose.
- 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)
- to put a muzzle on (an animal or its mouth) so as to prevent biting, eating, etc.
The censors muzzled the press.
Synonyms: suppress , still , quiet , silence
- 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.
- the projecting part of the face, usually the jaws and nose, of animals such as the dog and horse
- a guard or strap fitted over an animal's nose and jaws to prevent it biting or eating
- the front end of a gun barrel
to muzzle the press
- to put a muzzle on (an animal)
- to take in (a sail)
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Derived forms.
- ˈmuzzler , noun
Word History and Origins
Origin of muzzle 1
Example Sentences
My owner was horrified, and he took off the muzzle, and I am sure he felt awful that he put me through such a dreadful ordeal.
Then, five minutes later, I was outside with no muzzle eating cicadas.
The mask my mother-in-law puts on the dog statue outside her front door keeps getting ripped from his muzzle.
The wild grass beyond his muzzle looked parched enough to burst into flames if you glanced at it wrong.
I was trying to invent a kid-friendly mask that wouldn’t easily slip off little ears and I accidentally created a cotton muzzle.
Control Room Sook Shoot Out -- some editorial changes and some VFX muzzle flashes.
Biden is such a straight shooter that pundits say he needs a muzzle.
Suddenly, the darkness came alive with muzzle flashes and tracer rounds.
The result of the back-and-forth was guaranteed national publicity for the very ideas the politicians wanted to muzzle.
He pointed the muzzle at Jones and pulled the trigger, shooting him in the head with a fatally real bullet.
He turned at the sound of my voice with vastly more concern than he'd betrayed under the muzzle of Piegan's gun.
It was a hippopotamus which had been standing on the river-brink within six yards of the muzzle of his gun.
The gunner's seat moved with the carriage, from which he could elevate or depress the muzzle by a lever.
Then, lifting its head and muzzle to the sky, it opened its long jaws and gave vent to a dismal and prolonged howling.
He laughed, stooped over Black Hood, pressed the muzzle of his gun to the manhunter's forehead.
Related Words
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- crack down on
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Definition of 'muzzle'
muzzle in British English
Muzzle in american english, examples of 'muzzle' in a sentence muzzle, trends of muzzle.
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In other languages muzzle
- American English : muzzle / ˈmʌzəl /
- Brazilian Portuguese : focinho
- Chinese : 口鼻部 动物的
- European Spanish : hocico
- French : museau
- German : Maul
- Italian : muso
- Japanese : 鼻口部
- Korean : 코와 주둥이 부분 개 등의
- European Portuguese : focinho
- Latin American Spanish : hocico
- Thai : ปากและจมูกของสัตว์ เช่น สุนัข
- Brazilian Portuguese : pôr focinheira
- Chinese : 给…戴口络 动物的
- European Spanish : poner un bozal a
- French : museler
- German : einen Maulkorb anlegen
- Italian : mettere la museruola a
- Japanese : 口輪をはめる
- Korean : 재갈을 물리다
- European Portuguese : pôr mordaça
- Latin American Spanish : poner un bozal a
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Dictionary definition of muzzle
To place a device or covering over the mouth or snout of an animal or person, typically to prevent them from biting, barking, or speaking. "The new legislation is said to muzzle the press by imposing stringent regulations."
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Detailed meaning of muzzle
It involves restraining or controlling the movement or sound produced by the mouth or snout. Muzzling can be done using various materials such as cloth, leather, or specialized devices designed specifically for animals. This action is commonly employed for safety purposes, particularly in situations where an animal may pose a risk of aggression or harm. Muzzling can also be used metaphorically to describe the act of silencing or suppressing someone's speech or expression. It implies a form of restraint or control over the verbal or vocal communication of an individual. The verb "muzzle" can denote both a physical action of covering the mouth and a figurative action of restricting or limiting speech or expression.
Example sentences of muzzle
1. The city ordinance requires dog owners to muzzle their pets in public places. 2. The handler will muzzle the aggressive dog before taking it to the vet. 3. Without a way to muzzle the loud machine, workers wore earplugs to protect their hearing. 4. Before entering the park, please make sure to muzzle any breed that can be potentially aggressive. 5. The law seemed to muzzle free speech by putting too many restrictions on public protests. 6. To muzzle the chatter during the performance, the director placed a sign requesting silence.
History and etymology of muzzle
The verb 'muzzle' has its etymological origins in the Middle English word 'musel,' which referred to a covering or restraint placed over the mouth of an animal, particularly a dog. This Middle English term likely developed from the Old French word 'musel,' which also meant a muzzle or snout covering. The Old French term itself was derived from the Late Latin 'musellum,' a diminutive form of 'musus,' meaning 'snout' or 'nose.' The verb 'muzzle,' as it is used today, involves placing a device or covering over the mouth or snout of an animal or person to prevent them from biting, barking, or speaking. The etymology of 'muzzle' thus underscores its historical association with the protection and restraint of an animal's snout, reflecting the word's evolution from Latin to French and finally to English.
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Further usage examples of muzzle
1. They need to muzzle the fan because it's making an unbearable squeaking noise. 2. The zookeeper will muzzle the lion during the medical examination. 3. You shouldn’t muzzle your emotions; it’s healthy to express how you feel. 4. The trainer taught us how to properly muzzle a horse to prevent it from biting. 5. The mother told her son not to muzzle his creativity and to paint whatever he wanted. 6. The factory owner installed soundproof walls to muzzle the noise from the machinery. 7. The governor tried to muzzle opposition by limiting their access to media. 8. As part of safety measures, they had to muzzle the police dog during the community event. 9. The dog owner decided to muzzle his aggressive pit bull at the park. 10. She had to muzzle the chatty toddler during the movie. 11. The protestor refused to let the police muzzle his freedom of speech. 12. The vet recommended using a muzzle for the anxious German Shepherd. 13. He tried to muzzle his laughter during the serious meeting. 14. The muzzle prevented the dog from barking at the mail carrier. 15. The muzzle kept the dangerous criminal from shouting for help. 16. To avoid accidents, always muzzle your aggressive dog in public. 17. The protesters refused to let the authorities muzzle their voices. 18. She used a muzzle to stop her parrot from squawking all night. 19. The court ordered him to muzzle his aggressive Rottweiler. 20. He felt compelled to muzzle his political opinions at the family dinner. 21. The zookeepers had to muzzle the unruly baboon during feeding time. 22. They used a muzzle to control the aggressive horse at the rodeo. 23. The manager had to muzzle the employee who kept divulging secrets. 24. The muzzle prevented the dog from nipping at the groomer. 25. He chose to muzzle his criticism of the new company policy. 26. The authorities attempted to muzzle the whistleblower's disclosures. 27. She quickly grabbed a muzzle to calm the ferocious Doberman. 28. The teacher had to muzzle the noisy classroom during the exam.
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muzzle noun 1
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What does the noun muzzle mean?
There are 14 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun muzzle , five of which are labelled obsolete, and one of which is considered offensive. See ‘Meaning & use’ for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence.
muzzle has developed meanings and uses in subjects including
How common is the noun muzzle ?
How is the noun muzzle pronounced, british english, u.s. english, where does the noun muzzle come from.
Earliest known use
Middle English
The earliest known use of the noun muzzle is in the Middle English period (1150—1500).
OED's earliest evidence for muzzle is from around 1385, in the writing of Geoffrey Chaucer, poet and administrator.
muzzle is a borrowing from French.
Etymons: French musel .
Nearby entries
- Muzaked, adj. 1962–
- muzak man, n. 1955–
- muzhik, n. 1587–
- muzhikdom, n. 1920–
- muzz, n. 1788–
- muzz, v. ?1744–
- muzzed, adj. a1788–
- muzzily, adv. 1903–
- muzziness, n. 1814–
- muzzing, adj. 1788–
- muzzle, n.¹ c1385–
- muzzle, n.² 1853
- muzzle, adj. 1691–1813
- muzzle, v.¹ a1450–
- muzzle, v.² 1796–
- muzzle astragal, n. 1769–
- muzzle blast, n. 1904–
- muzzle-bone, n. a1836
- muzzle brake, n. 1942–
- muzzle chops, n. 1611
- muzzled, adj.¹ a1475–
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Meaning & use
Pronunciation, compounds & derived words, entry history for muzzle, n.¹.
muzzle, n.¹ was revised in June 2003.
muzzle, n.¹ was last modified in March 2024.
oed.com is a living text, updated every three months. Modifications may include:
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Revisions and additions of this kind were last incorporated into muzzle, n.¹ in March 2024.
Earlier versions of this entry were published in:
OED First Edition (1908)
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Factsheet for muzzle, n.¹, browse entry.
Synonyms of muzzling
- as in censoring
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Thesaurus Definition of muzzling
Synonyms & Similar Words
- covering (up)
- blacking out
- suppressing
- hushing (up)
Antonyms & Near Antonyms
- broadcasting
- circulating
Thesaurus Entries Near muzzling
Cite this entry.
“Muzzling.” Merriam-Webster.com Thesaurus , Merriam-Webster, https://www.merriam-webster.com/thesaurus/muzzling. Accessed 11 May. 2024.
More from Merriam-Webster on muzzling
Nglish: Translation of muzzling for Spanish Speakers
Britannica English: Translation of muzzling for Arabic Speakers
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Definition of muzzle noun from the Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary
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Meaning of muzzled in English
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muzzle verb [T] ( ANIMAL )
- anti-libertarian
- box someone out
- box someone/something in
- cripplingly
- keep ( herself ) to herself idiom
- keep something down
- suffocatingly
- tie someone down
- tie someone up
muzzle verb [T] ( STOP OPINIONS )
- blurt something out
- break someone in
- button it idiom
- interpolation
- interruption
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a unit for measuring the loudness of sound
Varied and diverse (Talking about differences, Part 1)
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MUZZLING definition: 1. present participle of muzzle 2. to put a muzzle on an animal: 3. to stop a person or…. Learn more.
muzzle: [noun] the projecting jaws and nose of an animal : snout.
What does the noun muzzling mean? There are three meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun muzzling, one of which is labelled obsolete. See 'Meaning & use' for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. muzzling has developed meanings and uses in subjects including. agriculture (late 1500s) boxing (1810s)
Definition of muzzle verb in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. ... They accused the government of muzzling the press. Topics Opinion and argument c2; Word Origin late Middle English: from Old French musel, diminutive of medieval Latin musum, ...
muzzle (plural muzzles) The protruding part of an animal's head which includes the nose, mouth and jaws . The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes, / The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes, [ …] ( slang, derogatory, by extension) A person's mouth. A device used to prevent an animal from biting or eating ...
Definition of muzzle verb in Oxford Advanced American Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more. ... to prevent someone from expressing their opinions in public as they want to synonym gag They accused the government of muzzling the press. See muzzle in the Oxford Advanced Learner's ...
MUZZLE meaning: 1. the mouth and nose of an animal, especially a dog: 2. a covering put over an animal's nose and…. Learn more.
Muzzle definition: the mouth, or end for discharge, of the barrel of a gun, pistol, etc.. See examples of MUZZLE used in a sentence.
muzzles; muzzled; muzzling. Britannica Dictionary definition of MUZZLE. [+ object] 1. : to put a muzzle on (a dog) : to place a covering on (the mouth of a dog) to stop biting. a dangerous dog that should be muzzled. 2. : to prevent (a person or group) from speaking or writing in a free or normal way. attempts by the government to muzzle the press.
Define muzzling. muzzling synonyms, muzzling pronunciation, muzzling translation, English dictionary definition of muzzling. n. 1. The forward, projecting part of the head of certain animals, such as dogs, including the mouth, nose, and jaws; the snout. 2. A device that is fitted...
the open end of a gun, where the bullets come out. Bright muzzle flashes were visible even through the fog.
A muzzle is a guard that covers an animal's mouth to keep it from biting. If your dog is aggressive, you might have to put a muzzle on her when you take her to the dog park.
6 meanings: 1. the projecting part of the face, usually the jaws and nose, of animals such as the dog and horse 2. a guard or.... Click for more definitions.
There is one meaning in OED's entry for the noun muzzling. See 'Meaning & use' for definition, usage, and quotation evidence. This word is used in English regional dialect. See meaning & use. How common is the noun muzzling? Fewer than 0.01 occurrences per million words in modern written English . 1820: 0.0002: 1830: 0.0003: 1840: 0.0004:
Muzzling can also be used metaphorically to describe the act of silencing or suppressing someone's speech or expression. It implies a form of restraint or control over the verbal or vocal communication of an individual. ... The Old French term itself was derived from the Late Latin 'musellum,' a diminutive form of 'musus,' meaning 'snout' or ...
noun. definition 1: the part of the head of some animals that contains the nose, jaws, and mouth. Some dogs have a long muzzle and others, like boxers, do not. synonyms: snout. definition 2: a device made of leather or wire mesh that is placed over this part of the head to keep the animal from biting, eating, or barking. similar words:
There are 14 meanings listed in OED's entry for the noun muzzle, five of which are labelled obsolete, and one of which is considered offensive. See 'Meaning & use' for definitions, usage, and quotation evidence. muzzle has developed meanings and uses in subjects including. agriculture (Middle English) animals (Middle English) armour (mid ...
MUZZLE definition: 1. the mouth and nose of an animal, especially a dog: 2. a covering put over an animal's nose and…. Learn more.
Synonyms for MUZZLING: censoring, silencing, gagging, covering (up), blacking out, suppressing, quashing, hushing (up); Antonyms of MUZZLING: exposing, revealing ...
Definition of muzzle noun in Oxford Advanced Learner's Dictionary. Meaning, pronunciation, picture, example sentences, grammar, usage notes, synonyms and more.
MUZZLED meaning: 1. past simple and past participle of muzzle 2. to put a muzzle on an animal: 3. to stop a person…. Learn more.