muz´zler

muz|zle «MUHZ uhl», noun, verb, -zled, -zling.

–n.

1. the nose, mouth, and jaws of a four-footed animal; snout: »

the muzzle of a dog. The antler'd deer…thrust his muzzle in the air (Joaquin Miller).

2. a) a cover or cage of straps or wires to put over an animal's head and mouth to keep it from biting or eating. b) any one of various contrivances that resemble this, such as the respirator of a gas mask.

3. the open front end of the barrel of a gun: »

Friday…clapped the muzzle of his piece into his ear, and shot him dead as a stone (Daniel Defoe).

–v.t.

1. to put a muzzle on.

2. Figurative. to compel (a person) to keep silent about something: »

Fear that he might betray his friends muzzled him. The government muzzled the newspapers during the rebellion.

3. to sniff at; poke the head into: »

... a spaniel muzzling the wind (Atlantic).

╂[Middle English musell < Old French musel < muse muzzle < Medieval Latin musus snout. Compare etym. under muse.]

–muz´zler, noun.