verb / noun
mutter
MUT-er/ˈmʌtər/
Speech delivered quietly and unclearly.
The woman mutters over the tangled cord while the man leans closer to hear.
Etymology
Middle English moteren described low speech made with compressed lips. That manner of speaking connects directly to the indistinct, murmuring quality of modern mutter.
In context
mutter something of their sorrow that such heavy costs should only fall upon their own employer
More examples
- A low mutter passes through the waiting crowd.
- She muttered an apology without looking up.
- Please speak clearly instead of muttering into your scarf.
Forms
mutter · mutters · muttered · muttering