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View synonyms for

muzzle

[muhz-uhl]

noun

  1. the mouth, or end for discharge, of the barrel of a gun, pistol, etc.

  2. the projecting part of the head of an animal, including jaws, mouth, and nose.

  3. a device, usually an arrangement of straps or wires, placed over an animal's mouth to prevent the animal from biting, eating, etc.



verb (used with object)

muzzled, muzzling 
  1. to put a muzzle on (an animal or its mouth) so as to prevent biting, eating, etc.

  2. to restrain from speech, the expression of opinion, etc..

    The censors muzzled the press.

    Synonyms: , , ,
  3. Nautical.to attach the cable to the stock of (an anchor) by means of a light line to permit the anchor to be pulled loose readily.

muzzle

/ ˈʌə /

noun

  1. the projecting part of the face, usually the jaws and nose, of animals such as the dog and horse

  2. a guard or strap fitted over an animal's nose and jaws to prevent it biting or eating

  3. the front end of a gun barrel

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

verb

  1. to prevent from being heard or noticed

    to muzzle the press

  2. to put a muzzle on (an animal)

  3. to take in (a sail)

“Collins English Dictionary — Complete & Unabridged” 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012
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Other Word Forms

  • ˈܳ noun
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Word History and Origins

Origin of muzzle1

1350–1400; Middle English musel < Middle French < Medieval Latin ūܳ, diminutive of ūܳ snout < ?
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Word History and Origins

Origin of muzzle1

C15 mosel, from Old French musel, diminutive of muse snout, from Medieval Latin ūܲ, of unknown origin
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Example Sentences

Examples have not been reviewed.

The shadow cast by self-interested billionaires grows larger by the day, muzzling any truth that conflicts with their bottom line.

From

The muzzle of a handgun poked out from their car’s passenger window, a witness told police.

From

I notice two guests, both with their eyes closed, yawning as Cowboy rubs his muzzle along the fence.

From

After a brief conversation through the chain link fence, Matt says he'd be happy to continue the conversation in the field, provided Doug is muzzled and under Lily's partner Hayden's control at a distance.

From

The US singer's spoken before about being comfortable pushing boundaries, telling the BBC "I'd be more successful if I wore a muzzle" after making headlines last year.

From

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