mutton

¹ American  

[muht-n] / ˈmʌt n /

noun

1. the flesh of sheep, especially full-grown or more mature sheep, used as food.

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mutton ² American  

[muht-n] / ˈmʌt n /

noun

Printing.

1. em.

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mutton British  

/ ˈmʌtən /

noun

1. the flesh of sheep, esp of mature sheep, used as food

2. an older woman dressed up to look young

3. printing another word for em Compare nut

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Other Word Forms

• muttony adjective

Etymology

Origin of mutton¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English moton “sheep,” from Old French, from Celtic; compare Breton maout “wether,” Middle Irish molt, Welsh mollt

Origin of mutton²

First recorded in 1935–40; code term, coined to differentiate the pronunciation of em quad from en quad

Example Sentences

Indeed, one of her best-known pamphlets exposed him as the inventor of the mutton sleeve and the bicycle skirt.

From Literature

Ovine meats—such as lamb and mutton—reached record highs.

From The Wall Street Journal

Lamb is often Muslim consumers' meat of choice for family occasions and festivals like Ramadan and Eid, while mutton is a popular ingredient in curries and stews.

From BBC

“We’re going to Cunningham’s stream,” I told her, feeling a jump in my throat, picturing Cunningham’s face, red and mottled from too much mutton.

From Literature

In the 19th century, children gobbled chiles and mutton and turnips and jellied pig’s brain.

From The Wall Street Journal