mutter

Meanings

1. 1
   verb

   To speak quietly and unclearly, often when complaining or annoyed.

   He muttered something rude under his breath as he walked away.

2. 2
   noun

   A quiet, unclear utterance, often of complaint.

   The crowd accepted the decision with barely a mutter.

3. 3
   verb

   To make a low, continuous rumbling sound.

   Thunder muttered in the distance as the storm approached.

From Middle English muteren, moteren, of imitative origin. Compare Low German mustern, musseln (“to whisper”), German muttern (“to mutter; whisper”), Old Norse muðla (“to murmur”). Compare also Latin muttīre, mutīre.

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