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muffled

- 2 dictionary results

muf⋅fle

1  [muhf-uhl] verb, -fled, -fling, noun
Use muffled in a Sentence
–verb (used with object)
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 protect the face and neck (often fol. by up): Muffle up the children before they go out.
4. to wrap (oneself) in a garment or other covering: muffled in silk.
5. to alter temporarily the profile of (a plaster mold) in order to run a base coat of plaster that will later be covered by a finish coat having the true profile.
–noun
6. something that muffles.
7. muffled sound.
8. an oven or arched chamber in a furnace or kiln, used for heating substances without direct contact with the fire.
Origin:
1400–50; late ME mufeln, perh. aph. form of AF *amoufler, for OF enmoufler to wrap up, muffle, deriv. of moufle mitten (see en- 1 , muff ); (def. 8) directly < F moufle lit., mitten
Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2009.
Cite This Source Link To muffled
muf·fle 1   (mŭf'əl)   
tr.v.   muf·fled, muf·fling, muf·fles
  1. To wrap up, as in a blanket or shawl, for warmth, protection, or secrecy.
    1. To wrap or pad in order to deaden the sound: muffled the drums.
    2. To deaden (a sound): The sand muffled the hoofbeats.
  3. To make vague or obscure: "His message was so muffled by learning and 'artiness'" (Walter Blair).
  4. To repress; stifle.
n.  
  1. Something that muffles.
  2. A kiln or part of a kiln in which pottery can be fired without being exposed to direct flame.

[Middle English muflen, possibly from Old French mofler, to stuff, from mofle, glove; see muff2.]
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth Edition
Copyright © 2009 by Houghton Mifflin Company.
Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.
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