Nearby Words

murmurs

[mur-mer] Origin

mur·mur

[mur-mer]
noun
1.
a low, continuous sound, as of a brook, the wind, or trees, or of low, indistinct voices.
2.
a mumbled or private expression of discontent.
3.
Also called heart murmur. Medicine/Medical.
a.
an abnormal sound heard on listening to the heart, usually through a stethoscope, produced by the blood passing through deformed cardiac valves.
b.
in some persons a similar sound heard when blood passes through normal valves.
4.
Phonetics. a voice quality in which vibration of the vocal cords is accompanied by the escape of a great deal of air, as in the (h) of ahead; breathy voice.
verb (used without object)
5.
to make a low or indistinct sound, especially continuously.
6.
to speak in a low tone or indistinctly.
7.
to complain in a low tone or in private.

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Murmurs is always a great word to know.
So is flibbertigibbet. Does it mean:
a children's mummer's parade, as on the Fourth of July, with prizes for the best costumes.
a chattering or flighty, light-headed person.
verb (used with object)
8.
to sound by murmurs.
9.
to utter in a low tone: He murmured a threat as he left the room.

Origin:
1275–1325; (v.) Middle English murmuren < Latin murmurāre; (noun) Middle English < Latin

mur·mur·er, noun
mur·mur·less, adjective
mur·mur·less·ly, adverb
un·mur·mured, adjective
un·mur·mur·ing, adjective
EXPAND
un·mur·mur·ing·ly, adverb
COLLAPSE


1. grumble, susurration, mumble, complaint, mutter. 6. Murmur, mumble, mutter mean to make sounds that are not fully intelligible. To murmur is to utter sounds or words in a low, almost inaudible tone, as in expressing affection or dissatisfaction: to murmur disagreement. To mumble is to utter imperfect or inarticulate sounds with the mouth partly closed, so that the words can be distinguished only with difficulty: to mumble the answer to a question. To mutter is to utter words in a low, grumbling way, often voicing complaint or discontent, not meant to be fully audible: to mutter complaints. 7. grouse.

Dictionary.com Unabridged
Based on the Random House Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2012.
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Etymonline
Word Origin & History

murmur
late 14c., "expression of discontent by grumbling," from O.Fr. murmure (12c.), noun of action from murmurer, from L. murmurare, from murmur (n.) "a hum, muttering, rushing," probably from a PIE reduplicative base *mor-mor, of imitative origin (cf. Skt. murmurah "crackling fire," Gk. mormyrein "to roar,
EXPAND
boil," Lith. murmlenti "to murmur"). Meaning "softly spoken words" is from 1670s. The verb is first attested late 14c. Related: Murmured; murmuring.
COLLAPSE
Online Etymology Dictionary, © 2010 Douglas Harper
Cite This Source
American Heritage
Medical Dictionary

murmur mur·mur (mûr'mər)
n.
An abnormal sound heard on auscultation of the heart, lungs, or blood vessels.

The American Heritage® Stedman's Medical Dictionary
Copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company.
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