mute

(mūt )

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[L. mutus, dumb]

1. Lacking the ability to speak.
2. One who is unable to speak. According to the National Association of the Deaf, the noun sense of mute, i.e., a person who cannot speak, is technically inaccurate (most people who are deaf or hard of hearing have normal vocal cords); it is certainly outmoded, frequently offensive, and should be avoided. Website: http://www.nad.org/infocenter/infotogo/dcc/terms.html
SEE: deaf; SEE: hard of hearing
3. Deliberately refraining from speaking; choosing to remain silent.

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