dæmp ˈdæmpən dʌl mʌfl̩ ˈsaɪlənt ʌnˈspoʊkən unable to speak because of hereditary deafness expressed without speech a mute appeal a silent curse best grief is tongueless the words stopped at her lips unsounded unspoken grief choking exasperation and wordless shame deaden (a sound or noise), especially by wrapping a device used to soften the tone of a musical instrument a deaf person who is unable to speak