̘. ̈n.mauθ n. & v. --n. (pl. mouths) 1 a an
external opening in
the head,
through which most animals
admit food and emit communicative sounds. b (in humans and
some animals) the
cavity behind it containing the
means of
biting and chewing and the
vocal organs. 2 a the opening of a
container such as a
bag or sack. b the opening of a cave,
volcano, etc. c the
open end of a
woodwind or
brass instrument. d the
muzzle of a
gun. 3 the
place where a
river enters the
sea. 4 colloq. a talkativeness. b
impudent talk;
cheek. 5 an
individual regarded as needing
sustenance (an
extra mouth to feed). 6 a horse's readiness to
feel and
obey the
pressure of the bit. --v. 1 tr. & intr. utter or
speak solemnly or
with affectations;
rant,
declaim (mouthing platitudes). 2 tr. utter
very distinctly. 3 intr. a
move the lips silently. b
grimace. 4 tr.
take (food) in the mouth. 5 tr.
touch with the mouth. 6 tr.
train the mouth of (a horse). øgive mouth (of a dog) bark, bay.
keep one's mouth
shut colloq.
not reveal a
secret. mouth-organ =
HARMONICA. mouth-to-mouth (of resuscitation) in which a
person breathes
into a subject's lungs through the mouth. mouth-watering 1 (of food etc.) having a
delicious smell or
appearance. 2
tempting, alluring. put words into a person's mouth
represent a person as having
said something in a
particular way. take the words
out of a person's mouth
say what another was about to say. øømouthed adj. (also in comb.). mouther n. mouthless adj. [OE muth f. Gmc]
