sourdine

American  

[soor-deen] / sʊərˈdin /

noun

Music.

1. mute.

2. kit.

3. an obsolete member of the oboe family.

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sourdine British  

/ sʊəˈdiːn /

noun

1. a soft stop on an organ or harmonium

2. another word for sordino

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Etymology

Origin of sourdine

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

Example Sentences

Their embrace gradually became a whispered conversation, at first interrupted, but then accompanied by subdued sobbing, which was checked and began again, like music with sourdine.

From Project Gutenberg

The more complete sourdine, which muted all the strings by contact of a long strip of leather, acted as the staccato, pizzicato, or pianissimo.

From Project Gutenberg