sourdine

[ soor-deen ]

noun

, Music.

1. mute ( def 10 ).
2. kit ².
3. an obsolete member of the oboe family.

sourdine

/ sʊəˈdiːn /

noun

1. a soft stop on an organ or harmonium
2. See sordino
   another word for sordino

Word History and Origins

Origin of sourdine¹

1670–80; < French: damper, mute < Italian sordina (feminine); sordino

Word History and Origins

Origin of sourdine¹

C17 (meaning: a muted trumpet): from French: a mute, from Italian; see sordino