Pronunciations (2)
-
/ˈmʌzəl/
-
ˈmʌzəl
Noun
The protruding part of an animal's head which includes the nose, mouth and jaws.
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
The yellow fog that rubs its back upon the window-panes, / The yellow smoke that rubs its muzzle on the window-panes, […]
A person's mouth.
Usage- broadly
- Derogatory
- Slang
A device used to prevent an animal from biting or eating, which is worn on its snout.
The mouth or the end for entrance or discharge of a gun, pistol etc., that the bullet emerges from.
A piece of the forward end of the plow-beam by which the traces are attached.
Usage- Scotland
- Synonyms
An openwork covering for the nose, used for the defense of the horse, and forming part of the bards in the 15th and 16th centuries.
Usage- Historical
- Obsolete
Verb
To bind or confine an animal's mouth by putting a muzzle, as to prevent it from eating or biting.
Usage- Transitive
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.
To restrain (from speaking, expressing opinion or acting); to gag; to silence; to censor.
Usage- Figurative
- Transitive
- Examples
-
Those who want to muzzle everyone else are likely nothing less than pseudovirtuous.
Man is brow-beaten, leashed, muzzled, masked, and lashed by boards and councils, by leagues and societies, by church and state.
To veil, mask, muffle.
Usage- Obsolete
- Transitive
To fondle with the closed mouth; to nuzzle.
Usage- Obsolete
- Transitive
- Examples
-
Venus her self would sit Muzzling and Gazing them in the Eyes
More examples (1)
And now, while they are climbing the pole in another part of the field, and muzzling in a flour-tub in another, the old farmer […] announces to all whom it may concern that a half-sovereign in money will be forthcoming to the old gamester who breaks most heads; […]
To bring the muzzle or mouth near.
Usage- Intransitive
- Examples
-
The Bear comes directly up to him, Muzzles and Smells to him.
Noun
the open circular discharging end of a gun
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
forward projecting part of the head of certain animals; includes the jaws and nose
- Broader terms
a leather or wire restraint that fits over an animal's snout (especially a dog's nose and jaws) and prevents it from eating or biting
- Broader terms
restraint put into a person's mouth to prevent speaking or shouting
- Synonyms
- Broader terms
Verb
fit with a muzzle
- Antonyms
- Examples
-
muzzle the dog to prevent it from biting strangers
prevent from speaking out
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
The press was gagged
tie a gag around someone's mouth in order to silence them
- Synonyms
- Examples
-
The burglars gagged the home owner and tied him to a chair