muzzle

American  

[muhz-uhl] / ˈmʌz əl /

noun

1. the mouth, or end for discharge, of the barrel of a gun, pistol, etc.

2. the projecting part of the head of an animal, including jaws, mouth, and nose.

3. a device, usually an arrangement of straps or wires, placed over an animal's mouth to prevent the animal from biting, eating, etc.

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verb (used with object)

muzzled, muzzling

1. to put a muzzle on (an animal or its mouth) so as to prevent biting, eating, etc.

2. to restrain from speech, the expression of opinion, etc..

   The censors muzzled the press.

   Synonyms:

   suppress, still, quiet, silence

3. Nautical. to attach the cable to the stock of (an anchor) by means of a light line to permit the anchor to be pulled loose readily.

muzzle British  

/ ˈmʌzəl /

noun

1. the projecting part of the face, usually the jaws and nose, of animals such as the dog and horse

2. a guard or strap fitted over an animal's nose and jaws to prevent it biting or eating

3. the front end of a gun barrel

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verb

1. to prevent from being heard or noticed

   to muzzle the press

2. to put a muzzle on (an animal)

3. to take in (a sail)

Other Word Forms

• muzzler noun

Etymology

Origin of muzzle

1350–1400; Middle English musel < Middle French < Medieval Latin mūsellum, diminutive of mūsum snout < ?

Example Sentences

He saw himself standing in the bukshah fields, with Star's warm muzzle bent to his hand and the other beasts grazing around him, huge, calm, and trusting.

From Literature

It featured a large, alien character, resembling a human but with a distorted head shape and muzzled mouth.

From BBC

The gun's massive muzzle fire is visible at the 46-second mark.

From BBC

He kept his muzzle pointed up and paddled hard, forcing his head into the air.

From Literature

They had large, intelligent eyes and rounded muzzles that reminded me of friendly dogs.

From Literature

Related Words

• censor
• choke
• clamp down on
• crack down on
• muffle
• repress
• restrain
• squelch
• stifle
• suppress