mutter

«mutter» in Mova's judaism dictionary: To speak quietly and unclearly, often to yourself, so… — its meaning for a pupil, its sense in the lessons and examples, with 5 sentences of Mova's corpora that use it.

part of speech

verb (mutter, mutters, muttered, muttering); noun (a mutter)

meaning for a pupil

1) To speak quietly and unclearly, often to yourself, so others cannot hear well. tree →

2) To complain quietly, often in an angry or grumpy way: muttering about the rain. tree →

3) (noun) Quiet, unclear speech: a mutter of complaint. tree →

sense in the lessons

In the Tanakh and Jewish tradition: It can mean the low, strange sounds made by people who try to speak to the dead. It can also mean the quiet plotting of nations against God. Interpretation: The prophet Isaiah mocks those who consult spirits, and tradition teaches that Israel should ask God and not the dead. Psalm 2 is read as nations that plot in vain against God and His anointed. In the primary lessons: In stories, «muttered» is a speech verb that shows a character is grumpy, shy or secretive, instead of plain «said». In everyday life adults tell children «don't mutter, speak up». Phrases: mutter to yourself, mutter under your breath, mutter about.

examples

• And why do the peoples mutter in vain? (Writings PSA.2.1, JPS 1917) tree →
• And when they shall say unto you: 'Seek unto the ghosts and the familiar spirits, that chirp and that mutter; should not a people seek unto their God? on behalf of the living unto the dead (Prophets ISA.8.19, JPS 1917) tree →
• «This isn't fair,» he muttered. tree →
• She muttered something I couldn't hear. tree →
• Grandpa muttered about the price of bread. tree →
• Speak up, don't mutter! tree →
• The wizard muttered a spell under his breath. tree →
• The crowd began to mutter angrily. tree →
• I heard a mutter from the back of the class. tree →
• He muttered to himself as he searched for his keys. tree →
• “'He is coming!' said the people,” muttered old Iktomi. tree →

note

Regular verb: muttered, muttering (double t already). Similar: mumble (unclear), grumble (complain), whisper (soft but clear). Good word for writing instead of «said».

In the corpora

• For your hands are defiled with blood, and your fingers with iniquity; your lips have spoken lies, your tongue muttereth wickedness.
• And why do the peoples mutter in vain?
• The Rabbit mutters "The Duchess!
• Alice mutters "It's really dreadful, the way all the creatures argue.
• He dug up his tunnel: «he scraped and scratched and scrabbled and scrooged», muttering to himself «Up we go!

Trees and pragmatics

Every meaning and example of «mutter» parsed by Mova, each sentence with its dependency tree and frames.