Muf"fle (?), n.
The bare end of the nose between the nostrils; -- used esp. of ruminants.
© Webster 1913.
Muf"fle, v. t. [imp. & p. p. Muffled (?); p. pr. & vb. n. Muffling (?).] [Cf. F. moufle a mitten, LL. muffula, OD. moffel a muff. See Muff.]
1.
To wrap up in something that conceals or protects; to wrap, as the face and neck, in thick and disguishing folds; hence, to conceal or cover the face of; to envelop; to inclose; -- often with up.
South.
The face lies muffled up within the garment.
Addison.
He muffled with a cloud his mournful eyes.
Dryden.
Muffled up in darkness and superstition.
Arbuthnot.
2.
To prevent seeing, or hearing, or speaking, by wraps bound about the head; to blindfold; to deafen.
3.
To wrap with something that dulls or deadens the sound of; as, to muffle the strings of a drum, or that part of an oar which rests in the rowlock.
© Webster 1913.
Muf"fle, v. i. [Cf. F. maffle, mumble, D. moffelen.]
To speak indistinctly, or without clear articulation.
© Webster 1913.
Muf"fle, n. [F. moufle, prop., a mitten, from the resemblance in shape. See Muffle, v. t., Muff.]
1.
Anything with which another thing, as an oar or drum, is muffled; also, a boxing glove; a muff.
2. Metal.
An earthenware compartment or oven, often shaped like a half cylinder, used in furnaces to protect objects heated from the direct action of the fire, as in scorification of ores, cupellation of ore buttons, etc.
3. Ceramics
A small oven for baking and fixing the colors of painted or printed pottery, without exposing the pottery to the flames of the furnace or kiln.
4.
A pulley block containing several sheaves.
Knight.
© Webster 1913.