murmur

Etymology

Definitions

1. 1

   Any low, indistinct sound, like that of running water.

   • The delightful murmur of water running over pebbles is heard a few yards off
   • 1979: A translation of the Eclogues by Paul Alpers The windy murmur of the breeze subsides.
2. 2

   Soft indistinct speech.

   • A murmur arose from the audience.
   • She howl'd aloud, “I am on fire within. / There comes no murmur of reply. / What is it that will take away my sin, / And save me lest I die?”
3. 3

   The sound made by any condition which produces a noisy, or turbulent, flow of blood…

   The sound made by any condition which produces a noisy, or turbulent, flow of blood through the heart.

4. ›+ 4 more definitionsshow fewer

   1. 4

      A muttered complaint or protest

      A muttered complaint or protest; the expression of dissatisfaction in a low muttering voice; any expression of complaint or discontent.

      • In fear of disease and in the interest of his health man will be muzzled and masked like a vicious dog, and that without any murmur of complaint.
   2. 5

      To grumble

      To grumble; to complain in a low, muttering voice, or express discontent at or against someone or something.

      • The Iewes then murmured at him because he sayde: I am that breed which is come doune from heaven.
      • And now, behold thy brothers murmur, saying it is a hard thing which I have required of them; but behold I have not required it of them, but it is a commandment of the Lord.
   3. 6

      To speak or make low, indistinguishable noise

      To speak or make low, indistinguishable noise; to mumble, mutter.

      • I couldn't hear the words; he just murmured a lot.
      • The bees murmured in the forest. The waves murmured on the shore.
      • “Oh yes,” he murmured in a tone of obligatory surprise, as he proceeded to make the kind of 2 which he attributed to Margaret's style of chirography.
   4. 7

      To say (something) indistinctly, to mutter.

      • I […] heard thee murmur tales of iron wars;
      • Gabriel murmured a confused reply, and hastened on.
      • With a husky voice she murmured that he was the very dearest grandfather anyone ever had.

The neighborhood

• synonymmurmur
• synonymmurmuration
• synonymsusurration
• synonymsusurrus
• antonymdin
• antonymsilence
• neighborhumming
• neighborsound
• neighborsubvocalization
• neighborwhispering
• neighborbabble
• neighbormumblage
• neighbormuttering