muffle

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   to make a sound quieter or less distinct, especially by covering its source

   Heavy curtains helped muffle the noise from the street.

2. 2
   verb

   to wrap or cover someone or something for warmth, protection, or concealment

   He muffled his face in a scarf before stepping into the snow.

3. 3
   noun

   an enclosed chamber in a kiln or furnace that shields material from direct flame or combustion gases

   The ceramic samples were heated inside the furnace muffle.

From Middle English muflen, probably a shortening of Old French enmoufler ("to wrap up"), related to moufle ("thick glove or mitten"). The sound sense developed from covering something so that its noise became less clear.

Topics

External links

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• Cambridge Dictionary
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