muzzle

Noun · Verb
Synonyms: gun muzzlegag

WordNet 3.0

Noun (4)

  1. the open circular discharging end of a gunSynonyms: gun muzzle
  2. forward projecting part of the head of certain animals; includes the jaws and nose
  3. 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
  4. restraint put into a person's mouth to prevent speaking or shoutingSynonyms: gag

Verb (3)

  1. fit with a muzzle“muzzle the dog to prevent it from biting strangers”
  2. prevent from speaking out“The press was gagged”Synonyms: gag
  3. tie a gag around someone's mouth in order to silence them“The burglars gagged the home owner and tied him to a chair”Synonyms: gag
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Webster's Dictionary (GCIDE)

Muzzle \Muz"zle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Muzzled; p. pr. & vb. n. Muzzling.] [F. museler.]

1.To bind the mouth of; to fasten the mouth of, so as to prevent biting or eating; hence, figuratively, to bind; to sheathe; to restrain from speech or action; as, the dictator muzzled all the newspapers. "My dagger muzzled." --Shak. [1913 Webster]

Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn.— Deut. xxv. 4.[1913 Webster]

2.To fondle with the closed mouth. [Obs.] --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]

Muzzle \Muz"zle\, v. i. To bring the mouth or muzzle near. [1913 Webster]

The bear muzzles and smells to him. --L'Estrange. [1913 Webster]

Muzzle \Muz"zle\, n. [OE. mosel, OF. musel, F. museau muzzle or snout, LL. musellus, fr. musus, morsus. See Muse, v. i., and cf. Morsel.]

1.The projecting mouth and nose of a quadruped, as of a horse; a snout. [1913 Webster]

2.The mouth of a thing; the end for entrance or discharge; as, the muzzle of a gun. [1913 Webster]

3.A fastening or covering (as a band or cage) for the mouth of an animal, to prevent eating or vicious biting. [1913 Webster]

With golden muzzles all their mouths were bound— Dryden.[1913 Webster]

Muzzle sight. (Gun.) See Dispart, n., 2. [1913 Webster]

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