mutter

Definition

A repressed or obscure utterance; an instance of muttering.

Etymology

From Middle English muteren, moteren, of imitative origin. Compare Low German mustern, musseln (“to whisper”), German muttern (“to mutter; whisper”), Old Norse muðla (“to murmur”). Compare also Latin muttīre, mutīre.

Example Sentences

• "The prisoners were docile, and accepted their lot with barely a mutter."