Mute /(mūt)/

Mute

v. t.
  1. To cast off; to molt.
    Have I muted all my feathers?

Mute

v. t. & i.
  1. To eject the contents of the bowels; -- said of birds.

Mute

n.
  1. The dung of birds.

Mute

a.
  1. Not speaking; uttering no sound; silent.
    All the heavenly choir stood mute, And silence was in heaven.
  2. Incapable of speaking; dumb.
  3. Not uttered; unpronounced; silent; also, produced by complete closure of the mouth organs which interrupt the passage of breath; -- said of certain letters. See 5th Mute, 2.
  4. Not giving a ringing sound when struck; -- said of a metal.
    They spake not a word; But, like dumb statues, or breathing stones, Gazed each on other.
    All sat mute, Pondering the danger with deep thoughts.

Phrases & Compounds
Mute swan
a European wild white swan (Cygnus olor syn. Cygnus gibbus), which produces no loud notes, in distinction from the Trumpeter swan.

Mute

n.
  1. One who does not speak, whether from physical inability, unwillingness, or other cause.
  2. A letter which represents no sound; a silent letter; also, a close articulation; an element of speech formed by a position of the mouth organs which stops the passage of the breath; as, p, b, d, k, t. (Phon.)
  3. A little utensil made of brass, ivory, or other material, so formed that it can be fixed in an erect position on the bridge of a violin, or similar instrument, in order to deaden or soften the tone. (Mus.)