Mute \Mute\, a. [L. mutus; cf. Gr. my`ein to shut, Skr. m[=u]ta
bound, m[=u]ka dumb: cf. OE. muet, fr. F. muet, a dim. of OF.
mu, L. mutus.]
1. Not speaking; uttering no sound; silent.
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All the heavenly choir stood mute,
And silence was in heaven. --Milton.
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Note: In law a prisoner is said to stand mute, when, upon
being arranged, he makes no answer, or does not plead
directly, or will not put himself on trial.
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2. Incapable of speaking; dumb. --Dryden.
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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.
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4. Not giving a ringing sound when struck; -- said of a
metal.
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Mute swan (Zool.), a European wild white swan (Cygnus
olor syn. Cygnus gibbus), which produces no loud notes,
in distinction from the Trumpeter swan.
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Syn: Silent; dumb; speechless.
Usage: Mute, Silent, Dumb. One is silent who does not
speak; one is dumb who can not, for want of the proper
organs; as, a dumb beast, etc.; and hence,
figuratively, we speak of a person as struck dumb with
astonishment, etc. One is mute who is held back from
speaking by some special cause; as, he was mute
through fear; mute astonishment, etc. Such is the case
with most of those who never speak from childhood;
they are not ordinarily dumb, but mute because they
are deaf, and therefore never learn to talk; and hence
their more appropriate name is deaf-mutes.
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They spake not a word;
But, like dumb statues, or breathing stones,
Gazed each on other. --Shak.
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All sat mute,
Pondering the danger with deep thoughts.
--Milton.
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