mutter

Meanings

1. 1
   noun

   A repressed or obscure utterance; an instance of muttering.

   The prisoners were docile, and accepted their lot with barely a mutter.

2. 2
   verb

   To utter words, especially complaints or angry expressions, indistinctly or with a low voice and lips partly closed; to say under one's breath.

   You could hear the students mutter as they were served sodden spaghetti, yet again, in the cafeteria.

3. 3
   verb

   To speak softly and incoherently, or with imperfect articulations.

   The asylum inmate muttered some doggerel about chains and pains to himself, over and over.

4. 4
   verb

   To make a sound with a low, rumbling noise.

   April could hear the delivery van's engine muttering in the driveway.

5. 5
   noun

   a complaint uttered in a low and indistinct tone

6. 6
   noun

   a low continuous indistinct sound

7. 7
   verb

   make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath

8. 8
   verb

   talk indistinctly

Etymology

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.