mutter

Etymology 1

From Middle English muteren, moteren, of imitative origin. Compare Low German mustern, musseln (“to whisper”), German muttern (“to mutter; whisper”), Old Norse muðla (“to murmur”). Compare also Latin muttīre, mutīre.

noun

  1. A repressed or obscure utterance; an instance of muttering.
    The prisoners were docile, and accepted their lot with barely a mutter.

verb

  1. To utter words, especially complaints or angry expressions, indistinctly or with a low voice and lips partly closed; to say under one's breath.
    You could hear the students mutter as they were served sodden spaghetti, yet again, in the cafeteria.
    The beggar muttered words of thanks, as passersby dropped coins in his cup.
    This set – the set of Rosol's life – was studded with aces and menacing ground-strokes that left Nadal an impotent spectator often muttering to himself and at the umpire regarding a perceived misdemeanour by his opponent. June 28, 2012, Jamie Jackson, “Wimbledon 2012: Lukas Rosol shocked by miracle win over Rafael Nadal”, in the Guardian
  2. To speak softly and incoherently, or with imperfect articulations.
    The asylum inmate muttered some doggerel about chains and pains to himself, over and over.
  3. To make a sound with a low, rumbling noise.
    April could hear the delivery van's engine muttering in the driveway.

Etymology 2

From Hindi मटर (maṭar).

noun

  1. (Indian cuisine) Peas.

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