mutism
Americannoun
noun
-
the state of being mute
-
psychiatry
-
a refusal to speak although the mechanism of speech is not damaged
-
the lack of development of speech, due usually to early deafness
-
Etymology
Origin of mutism
From the New Latin word mūtismus, dating back to 1815–25. See mute, -ism
Explanation
Someone who's not able to speak suffers from mutism. Some types of mutism are caused by brain injury, while others have to do with the vocal cords. You can also call mutism muteness. Both words stem from mute, which is rooted in the Latin mutus, "silent or speechless." Occasionally, mutism is the result of a person's conscious decision not to speak, but it can also be connected to trauma, delays in development, or a type of paralysis of the larynx, also known as the voice box.
Vocabulary lists containing mutism
Psychological Conditions and Disorders
Looking to grow your vocabulary? Check out this interactive, curated word list from our team of English language specialists at Vocabulary.com – one of over 17,000 lists we've built to help learners worldwide!
Psychology
Interested in learning more words like this one? Our team at Vocabulary.com has got you covered! You can review flashcards, quiz yourself, practice spelling, and more – and it's all completely free to use!
Becoming Naomi León
Want to remember this word for good? Start your learning journey today with our library of interactive, themed word lists built by the experts at Vocabulary.com – we'll help you make the most of your study time!
Example Sentences
Examples are provided to illustrate real-world usage of words in context. Any opinions expressed do not reflect the views of Dictionary.com.
Richard Littler KC, representing Ratcliffe, had told the court the teenager had been diagnosed with autism spectrum disorder and selective mutism.
From BBC ● Dec. 5, 2024
"We are also developing resources aimed at parents and teaching staff to provide universal and targeted support for children with selective mutism."
From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2024
Experts regard selective mutism as a fear or phobia of talking to certain people, the cause is not always clear, but is associated with anxiety.
From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2024
Scarlett was diagnosed with selective mutism at the age of eight, although her parents, Steve and Emma, believe she started showing signs as young as five.
From BBC ● Oct. 27, 2024
His obstinate mutism procured him the nickname of "the mute," but he talked in his sleep and replied to questions by signs.
From Criminal Man According to the Classification of Cesare Lombroso by Gina Lombroso
Random Word
Spin the wheel and learn a new word!
Get a wordDefinitions and idiom definitions from Dictionary.com Unabridged, based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2023
Idioms from The American Heritage® Idioms Dictionary copyright © 2002, 2001, 1995 by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Harcourt Publishing Company.
