muffle

muffle
muf|fle [ˈmʌfəl] v [T]
[Date: 1400-1500; Origin: Perhaps from Old French moufle 'glove', from Medieval Latin moffula; MUFF1]
1.) to make a sound less loud and clear, especially by covering something
The falling snow muffled the sound of our footsteps.
Her voice was muffled by the pillow in which she had hidden her face.
2.) also muffle sb up [usually passive]
to cover yourself or another person with something thick and warm
be muffled (up) in sth
Penelope arrived, muffled up in a thick coat.

Dictionary of contemporary English. 2013.

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  • Muffle — Muf fle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Muffled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Muffling}.] [Cf. F. moufle a mitten, LL. muffula, OD. moffel a muff. See {Muff}.] 1. To wrap up in something that conceals or protects; to wrap, as the face and neck, in thick and… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Muffle — Muf fle, n. [F. moufle, prop., a mitten, from the resemblance in shape. See {Muffle}, v. t., {Muff}.] 1. Anything with which another thing, as an oar or drum, is muffled; also, a boxing glove; a muff. [1913 Webster] 2. (Metal.) An earthenware… …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Muffle — Muf fle (m[u^]f f l), n. The bare end of the nose between the nostrils; used esp. of ruminants. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • Muffle — Muf fle, v. i. [Cf. F. maffle, mumble, D. moffelen.] To speak indistinctly, or without clear articulation. [1913 Webster] …   The Collaborative International Dictionary of English

  • muffle — index cloak, disguise, repress, shroud, stifle, subdue, suppress Burton s Legal Thesaurus. William C. Burton. 2006 …   Law dictionary

  • muffle — [v] suppress, make quiet conceal, cover, cushion, dampen, deaden, decrease, drown, dull, envelop, gag, hide, hush, mellow, mute, muzzle, put the lid on*, quieten, shut down, silence, sit down on*, smother, soften, softpedal*, squelch, stifle,… …   New thesaurus

  • muffle — ► VERB 1) wrap or cover for warmth. 2) make (a sound) quieter or less distinct by covering its source. ORIGIN from Old French moufle thick glove …   English terms dictionary

  • muffle — [muf′əl] vt. muffled, muffling [ME muflen, prob. akin to OFr enmouflé, muffled < moufle, a mitten: see MUFF] 1. to wrap up in a shawl, blanket, cloak, etc. so as to hide, keep warm, or protect 2. Now Rare to keep (a person) from seeing or… …   English World dictionary

  • muffle — {{11}}muffle (n.) thing that muffles, 1560s, from MUFFLE (Cf. muffle) (v.). {{12}}muffle (v.) early 15c., to cover or wrap (something) to conceal or protect, perhaps from M.Fr. mofler to stuff, from O.Fr. moufle thick glove, muff (Cf. O.Fr.… …   Etymology dictionary

  • muffle — /ˈmʌfəl / (say mufuhl) verb (t) (muffled, muffling) 1. Also, muffle up. to wrap or envelop in a cloak, shawl, scarf, or the like disposed about the person, especially about the face and neck. 2. to wrap with something to deaden or prevent sound:… …  

  • muffle — muffle1 /muf euhl/, v., muffled, muffling, n. v.t. 1. to wrap with something to deaden or prevent sound: to muffle drums. 2. to deaden (sound) by wrappings or other means. 3. to wrap or envelop in a cloak, shawl, coat, etc., esp. to keep warm or… …   Universalium

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