mumble

• POS: Noun, Verb (usu participle)
• HYPHEN: mum=ble

CIDE DICTIONARY

mumble, v. t. [OE. momelen; cf. D. mompelen, mommelen, G. mummelen, Sw. mumla, Dan. mumle. Cf. Mum, a., Mumm, Mump, v.].

•  To speak with the lips partly closed, so as to render the sounds inarticulate and imperfect; to utter words in a grumbling indistinct manner, indicating discontent or displeasure; to mutter.  [1913 Webster]

  "Peace, you mumbling fool."  [1913 Webster]

  "A wrinkled hag, with age grown double,
  Picking dry sticks, and mumbling to herself."  [1913 Webster]
•  To chew something gently with closed lips.  [1913 Webster]

mumble, v. t. 

•  To utter with a low, inarticulate voice.  Bp. Hall.  [1913 Webster]
•  To chew or bite gently, as one without teeth.  [1913 Webster]

  "Gums unarmed, to mumble meat in vain."  [1913 Webster]
•  To suppress, or utter imperfectly.  [1913 Webster]

OXFORD DICTIONARY

mumble, v. & n.
--v.
1 intr. & tr. speak or utter indistinctly.
2 tr. bite or chew with or as with toothless gums.
--n. an indistinct utterance.

Derivative

mumbler n. mumblingly adv.

Etymology

ME momele, as MUM(2): cf. LG mummelen

THESAURUS

mumble

aspirate, aspiration, bark, bated breath, bawl, bellow, bite, blare, blat, blubber, boom, bray, breath, breathe, breathy voice, buzz, cackle, champ, chant, chaw, chew, chew the cud, chew up, chirp, chomp, coo, crow, drawl, drone, droning, exclaim, exhalation, flute, fumble, gabble, gasp, gibber, gibbering, gnash, gnaw, grind, growl, grunt, gum, hammer, hiss, jabber, jibber, keen, lilt, limp, little voice, low voice, maffle, masticate, maunder, maundering, mouth, mouthing, muddle, mumbling, munch, murmur, murmuration, murmuring, mussitate, mutter, muttering, nibble, pant, pipe, roar, rumble, ruminate, rumor, scream, screech, shriek, shuffle, sibilate, sigh, sing, snap, snarl, snort, sob, soft voice, speak, speak incoherently, splutter, sputter, squall, squawk, squeal, stage whisper, stammer, still small voice, stumble, stutter, susurrate, susurration, susurrus, swallow, talk, thunder, trumpet, twang, underbreath, undertone, utter, verbalize, vocalize, voice, wail, warble, whine, whisper, whispering, yap, yawp, yell, yelp

ROGET THESAURUS

mumble

Stammering

VB stammer, stutter, hesitate, falter, hammer, balbutiate, balbucinate, haw, hum and haw, be unable to put two words together, mumble, mutter, maud, mauder, whisper, mince, lisp, jabber, gibber, sputter, splutter, muffle, mump, drawl, mouth, croak, speak thick, speak through the nose, snuffle, clip one's words, murder the language, murder the King's English, murder the Queen's English, mispronounce, missay.

Food

VB eat, feed, fare, devour, swallow, take, gulp, bolt, snap, fall to, despatch, dispatch, discuss, take down, get down, gulp down, lay in, tuck in, lick, pick, peck, gormandize, bite, champ, munch, cranch, craunch, crunch, chew, masticate, nibble, gnaw, mumble, live on, feed upon, batten upon, fatten upon, feast upon, browse, graze, crop, regale, carouse, eat heartily, do justice to, play a good knife and fork, banquet, break bread, break one's fast, breakfast, lunch, dine, take tea, sup, drink in, drink up, drink one's fill, quaff, sip, sup, suck, suck up, lap, swig, swill, chugalug, tipple, empty one's glass, drain the cup, toss off, toss one's glass, wash down, crack a bottle, wet one's whistle, purvey.