muzzle Meaning & Definition
What Does Muzzle Mean?
As a noun, muzzle means The protruding part of an animal's head which includes the nose, mouth and jaws. It can also mean A person's mouth. As a verb, it means To bind or confine an animal's mouth by putting a muzzle, as to prevent it from eating or biting.
Muzzle at a Glance
| Part of speech | noun, verb |
|---|---|
| Pronunciation | /ˈmʌzəl/ |
| Synonyms | gag, gunpoint and gun muzzle |
| Plural | muzzles |
| Verb forms | muzzles, muzzling, muzzled |
Muzzle Definition (Noun)
- The protruding part of an animal's head which includes the nose, mouth and jaws.
- A person's mouth.
- A device used to prevent an animal from biting or eating, which is worn on its snout.
- The mouth or the end for entrance or discharge of a gun, pistol etc., that the bullet emerges from.
- A piece of the forward end of the plow-beam by which the traces are attached.
- An openwork covering for the nose, used for the defense of the horse, and forming part of the bards in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Muzzle as a Verb
- To bind or confine an animal's mouth by putting a muzzle, as to prevent it from eating or biting.
- To restrain (from speaking, expressing opinion or acting); to gag; to silence; to censor.
Those who want to muzzle everyone else are likely nothing less than pseudovirtuous.
- To veil, mask, muffle.
- To fondle with the closed mouth; to nuzzle.
- To bring the muzzle or mouth near.
Synonyms of Muzzle
Muzzle synonyms and antonyms →Muzzle in a Sentence
Those who want to muzzle everyone else are likely nothing less than pseudovirtuous.
Word Forms & Grammar
muzzle (plural muzzles)
muzzle (third-person singular simple present muzzles, present participle muzzling, simple past and past participle muzzled)
Words That Rhyme With Muzzle
Origin of Muzzle
From earlier muzle, musle, mousle, mussel, mozell, from Middle English mosel, from Old French musel, museau, muzeau (modern French museau), from Late Latin mūsus (“snout”), probably expressive of the shape of protruded lips and/or influenced by Latin mūgīre (“to moo, bellow”). Doublet of museau. Displaced native Middle English kevel from Old English cæfl (“gag, bit, muzzle”), see English cavel.
Quick Answers About Muzzle
Is muzzle a noun or a verb?
Muzzle is mainly used as a noun, but it can also be used as a verb.
What is another word for muzzle?
Close synonyms of muzzle are gag, gunpoint and gun muzzle. See the full list of muzzle synonyms and antonyms.
What is the plural of muzzle?
The plural of muzzle is muzzles.
What is the past tense of muzzle?
The past tense of muzzle is muzzled. The present participle is muzzling.