Mute \Mute\, v. t. [L. mutare to change. See Molt.]

To cast off; to molt.

Have I muted all my feathers? --Beau. & Fl.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Mute \Mute\, v. t. & i. [F. mutir, ['e]meutir, OF. esmeltir, fr. OD. smelten, prop., to melt. See Smelt.]

To eject the contents of the bowels; -- said of birds. --B. Jonson.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Mute \Mute\, n. The dung of birds. --Hudibras.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Mute \Mute\, a. [L. mutus; cf. Gr. ? to shut, Skr. m?ta bound, m?ka dumb: cf. OE. muet, fr. F. muet, a dim. of OF. mu, L. mutus.]

1. Not speaking; uttering no sound; silent.

All the heavenly choir stood mute, And silence was in heaven. --Milton.

Note: In law a prisoner is said to stand mute, when, upon being arranged, he makes no answer, or does not plead directly, or will not put himself on trial.

2. Incapable of speaking; dumb. --Dryden.

3. Not uttered; unpronounced; silent; also, produced by complete closure of the mouth organs which interrupt the passage of breath; -- said of certain letters. See 5th Mute, 2.

4. Not giving a ringing sound when struck; -- said of a metal.

Mute swan (Zo["o]l.), a European wild white swan (Cygnus gibbus), which produces no loud notes.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)
 

Mute \Mute\, n.

1. One who does not speak, whether from physical inability, unwillingness, or other cause. Specifically:
   (a) One who, from deafness, either congenital or from early life, is unable to use articulate language; a deaf-mute.
   (b) A person employed by undertakers at a funeral.
   (c) A person whose part in a play does not require him to speak.
   (d) Among the Turks, an officer or attendant who is selected for his place because he can not speak.

2. (Phon.) A letter which represents no sound; a silent letter; also, a close articulation; an element of speech formed by a position of the mouth organs which stops the passage of the breath; as, p, b, d, k, t.

3. (Mus.) A little utensil made of brass, ivory, or other material, so formed that it can be fixed in an erect position on the bridge of a violin, or similar instrument, in order to deaden or soften the tone.

Source: Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)