Murmur
['mɜːmə] or ['mɝmɚ]
Definition
(verb.) make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath; 'she grumbles when she feels overworked'.
(verb.) speak softly or indistinctly; 'She murmured softly to the baby in her arms'.
Typed by Brian--From WordNet
Definition
(v. i.) A low, confused, and indistinct sound, like that of running water.
(v. i.) A complaint half suppressed, or uttered in a low, muttering voice.
(v. i.) To make a low continued noise, like the hum of bees, a stream of water, distant waves, or the wind in a forest.
(v. i.) To utter complaints in a low, half-articulated voice; to feel or express dissatisfaction or discontent; to grumble; -- often with at or against.
(v. t.) To utter or give forth in low or indistinct words or sounds; as, to murmur tales.
Checker: Sandra
Synonyms and Synonymous
n. [1]. Whisper; low, continuous sound.[2]. Complaint, plaint, whimper.[3]. Mutter, indistinct utterance.
v. n. [1]. Make a low, continued sound.[2]. Complain, mutter, repine, croak, grumble.
Checked by Karol
Synonyms and Antonyms
[See GROWL]
Edited by Benson
Definition
n. a low indistinct sound like that of running water: a complaint in a low muttering voice.—v.i. to utter a murmur: to grumble:—pr.p. mur′muring; pa.t. and pa.p. mur′mured.—n. Mur′murer.—adj. Mur′muring making a low continuous noise.—adv. Mur′muringly with a low murmuring sound: in a murmuring manner.—adj. Mur′murous attended with murmurs: exciting murmur.—adv. Mur′murously.
Edited by Daisy
Examples
- The times were full of stir and intellectual intereSt. The distant murmur of the Reformation was beginning to be heard. Plato. The Republic.
- Moore, chary of words, replied by a negative movement and murmur. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- The solo over, a duet followed, and then a glee: a joyous conversational murmur filled up the intervals. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- She told it all every word without a threat, without a murmur--she did--did she not? Charles Dickens. Oliver Twist.
- The door was softly shut again; then after another interval it swung majestically open, and a murmur ran through the church: The family! Edith Wharton. The Age of Innocence.
- A perceptible shock of surprise, an audible murmur of interest ran through them, at the sight of her face. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- Contrary to Bulstrode's alarmed expectation, he took little notice of Lydgate's presence, and continued to talk or murmur incoherently. George Eliot. Middlemarch.
- His mother left the room; then, moved by insupportable regret, I just murmured the words Dr. Bretton. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
- Mr Sampson murmured that this was the sort of thing you might expect from one who had ever in her own family been an example and never an outrage. Charles Dickens. Our Mutual Friend.
- If he were only to die-- Wildeve murmured. Thomas Hardy. The Return of the Native.
- Lily murmured her commiseration. Edith Wharton. The House of Mirth.
- My things were indeed in shameful disorder, murmured Helen to me, in a low voice: I intended to have arranged them, but I forgot. Charlotte Bronte. Jane Eyre.
- May be it's the way, she murmured to herself; but those that _have_ given up, there's no hope for them! Harriet Beecher Stowe. Uncle Tom's Cabin.
- Mr. Winkle murmured, in reply, that he had not that pleasure. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- She sat sobbing and murmuring behind it, that, if I was uneasy, why had I ever been married? Charles Dickens. David Copperfield.
- Too true, too true, indeed,' said Mrs. Weller, murmuring a groan, and shaking her head assentingly. Charles Dickens. The Pickwick Papers.
- Somewhat daunted by this reception, Jo hesitated on the threshold, murmuring in much embarrassment. Louisa May Alcott. Little Women.
- Where the quiet coloured end of evening smiles Miles and miles--' he was murmuring to himself, like a man condemned to death. D. H. Lawrence. Women in Love .
- The quiet in the house, and the low murmuring hum of summer insects outside the open window, soothed me. Wilkie Collins. The Woman in White.
- I endure without murmuring, because it is appointed that I shall so make reparation for my sins. Charles Dickens. Little Dorrit.
- The trooping in of numbers, the trampling of many steps and murmuring of many voices, were likewise audible. Charlotte Bronte. Shirley.
- Such were the gentle murmurs of Mrs. Bennet, and they gave way only to the greater distress of Mr. Bingley's continued absence. Jane Austen. Pride and Prejudice.
- To the silence of the preceding moment, now succeeded murmurs of discontent, and agitations, and whispers and shrugs. Rupert S. Holland. Historic Inventions.
- Mr. Bucket murmurs, Glad to have the honour of your approbation, Sir Leicester Dedlock, Baronet. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Faint, my Lady murmurs with white lips, only that; but it is like the faintness of death. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Old girl, murmurs Mr. Bagnet, give him another bit of my mind. Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Mr. Snagsby drinks and murmurs with an admiring cough behind his hand, Dear me, very fine wine indeed! Charles Dickens. Bleak House.
- Polly, being near him, kneeling on a little cushion or the carpet, a conversation would begin in murmurs, not inaudible, though subdued. Charlotte Bronte. Villette.
Editor: Martin