Library / English Dictionary

MUZZLE

Pronunciation (US):

(GB):

 I. (noun) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Forward projecting part of the head of certain animals; includes the jaws and nose

Classified under:

Nouns denoting animals

Hypernyms ("muzzle" is a kind of...):

face (the part of an animal corresponding to the human face)

Meronyms (parts of "muzzle"):

neb; snout (a long projecting or anterior elongation of an animal's head; especially the nose)

Holonyms ("muzzle" is a part of...):

caput; head (the upper part of the human body or the front part of the body in animals; contains the face and brains)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Restraint put into a person's mouth to prevent speaking or shouting

Synonyms:

gag; muzzle

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("muzzle" is a kind of...):

constraint; restraint (a device that retards something's motion)

Derivation:

muzzle (tie a gag around someone's mouth in order to silence them)

muzzle (prevent from speaking out)

Sense 3

Meaning:

The open circular discharging end of a gun

Synonyms:

gun muzzle; muzzle

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("muzzle" is a kind of...):

opening (a vacant or unobstructed space that is man-made)

Hyponyms (each of the following is a kind of "muzzle"):

gunpoint; point (the gun muzzle's direction)

Holonyms ("muzzle" is a part of...):

gun (a weapon that discharges a missile at high velocity (especially from a metal tube or barrel))

Sense 4

Meaning:

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

Classified under:

Nouns denoting man-made objects

Hypernyms ("muzzle" is a kind of...):

constraint; restraint (a device that retards something's motion)

Derivation:

muzzle (fit with a muzzle)

 II. (verb) 

Sense 1

Meaning:

Tie a gag around someone's mouth in order to silence them

Example:

The burglars gagged the home owner and tied him to a chair

Synonyms:

gag; muzzle

Classified under:

Verbs of touching, hitting, tying, digging

Hypernyms (to "muzzle" is one way to...):

bind; tie (fasten or secure with a rope, string, or cord)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Derivation:

muzzle (restraint put into a person's mouth to prevent speaking or shouting)

Sense 2

Meaning:

Prevent from speaking out

Example:

The press was gagged

Synonyms:

gag; muzzle

Classified under:

Verbs of seeing, hearing, feeling

Hypernyms (to "muzzle" is one way to...):

hush; hush up; quieten; shut up; silence; still (cause to be quiet or not talk)

Sentence frames:

Somebody ----s something
Somebody ----s somebody

Sentence example:

They want to muzzle the prisoners

Derivation:

muzzle (restraint put into a person's mouth to prevent speaking or shouting)

Sense 3

Meaning:

Fit with a muzzle

Example:

muzzle the dog to prevent it from biting strangers

Classified under:

Verbs of buying, selling, owning

Hypernyms (to "muzzle" is one way to...):

equip; fit; fit out; outfit (provide with (something) usually for a specific purpose)

Sentence frame:

Somebody ----s something

Antonym:

unmuzzle (remove the muzzle from (a dog))

Derivation:

muzzle (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)

muzzler (someone who muzzles animals)

Credits

 Context examples: 

Their faces are broad, with a flat head and short, wide muzzle.

(Boston Terrier, NCI Thesaurus)

I thought, too, of the glimpse I had in the light of Lord John's torch of that bloated, warty, blood-slavering muzzle.

(The Lost World, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

The Finnish Spitz resembles a fox with a pointed muzzle, perked ears.

(Finnish Spitz, NCI Thesaurus)

The disease is caused by the fungus Pseudogymnoascus destructans, which results in a skin infection, a distinctive white growth around the muzzles and on the wings of bats.

(Hibernation season over, will disease-ridden bats emerge from caves and mines this spring?, NSF)

This breed is strong and muscular with a flat, heavy head and strong, short muzzle.

(Akita, NCI Thesaurus)

A short, sleek, black coat has tan markings on the muzzle, limbs, and chest.

(Black and Tan Coonhound, NCI Thesaurus)

The Bloodhound is a powerful, massive hound with a long muzzle, drooping ears, and loose, wrinkled skin.

(Bloodhound, NCI Thesaurus)

A mustache and beard add to the squaring off of the muzzle.

(Black Russian Terrier, NCI Thesaurus)

She had drawn a little gleaming revolver, and emptied barrel after barrel into Milverton’s body, the muzzle within two feet of his shirt front.

(The Return of Sherlock Holmes, by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle)

It has a short, strong, sturdy body with strongly boned legs and a fox-like muzzle with large solid teeth.

(Norfolk Terrier, NCI Thesaurus)