to cast off; to molt.-to eject the contents of the bowels; -- said of birds.-the dung of birds.-not speaking; uttering no sound; silent.-incapable of speaking; dumb.-not uttered; unpronounced; silent; also, produced by complete closure of the mouth organs which interrupt the passage of breath; -- said of certain letters. see 5th mute, 2.-not giving a ringing sound when struck; -- said of a metal.-one who does not speak, whether from physical inability, unwillingness, or other cause.-one who, from deafness, either congenital or from early life, is unable to use articulate language; a deaf-mute.-a person employed by undertakers at a funeral.-a person whose part in a play does not require him to speak.-among the turks, an officer or attendant who is selected for his place because he can not speak.-a letter which represents no sound; a silent letter; also, a close articulation; an element of speech formed by a position of the mouth organs which stops the passage of the breath; as, p, b, d, k, t.-a little utensil made of brass, ivory, or other material, so formed that it can be fixed in an erect position on the bridge of a violin, or similar instrument, in order to deaden or soften the tone.