MUMBLE

mumble

(noun) a soft indistinct utterance

mumble, mutter, maunder, mussitate

(verb) talk indistinctly; usually in a low voice

mumble, gum

(verb) grind with the gums; chew without teeth and with great difficulty; “the old man had no teeth left and mumbled his food”

Source: WordNet® 3.1

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Etymology

Verb

mumble (third-person singular simple present mumbles, present participle mumbling, simple past and past participle mumbled)

(transitive, intransitive) To speak unintelligibly or inaudibly; to fail to articulate.

To chew something gently with closed lips.

Synonyms

• See also mutter

Noun

mumble (plural mumbles)

A quiet or unintelligible vocalization; a low tone of voice.

Anagrams

• bummle

Source: Wiktionary

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Mum"ble, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Mumbled; p. pr. & vb. n. Mumbling.] Etym: [OE. momelen; cf. D. mompelen, mommelen, G. mummelen, Sw. mumla, Dan. mumle. Cf. Mum, a., Mumm, Mump, v.]

1. To speak with the lips partly closed, so as to render the sounds inarticulate and imperfect; to utter words in a grumbling indistinct manner, indicating discontent or displeasure; to mutter. Peace, you mumbling fool. Shak. A wrinkled hag, with age grown double, Picking dry sticks, and mumbling to herself. Otway.

2. To chew something gently with closed lips.

Mum"ble, v. t.

1. To utter with a low, inarticulate voice. Bp. Hall.

2. To chew or bite gently, as one without teeth. Gums unarmed, to mumble meat in vain. Dryden.

3. To suppress, or utter imperfectly.

Source: Webster’s Unabridged Dictionary 1913 Edition

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