murmur
pronunciation
How to pronounce murmur in British English:
UK [ˈmɜːmə(r)]
How to pronounce murmur in American English:
US [ˈmɜːrmər]
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- Noun:
- a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech
- a schwa that is incidental to the pronunciation of a consonant
- an abnormal sound of the heart; sometimes a sign of abnormal function of the heart valves
- a complaint uttered in a low and indistinct tone
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- Verb:
- speak softly or indistinctly
- make complaining remarks or noises under one's breath
Word Origin
- murmur (n.)
- late 14c., "expression of discontent by grumbling," from Old French murmure "murmur, sound of human voices; trouble, argument" (12c.), noun of action from murmurer "to murmur," from Latin murmurare "to murmur, mutter," from murmur (n.) "a hum, muttering, rushing," probably from a PIE reduplicative base *mor-mor, of imitative origin (cognates: Sanskrit murmurah "crackling fire," Greek mormyrein "to roar, boil," Lithuanian murmlenti "to murmur"). Meaning "softly spoken words" is from 1670s.
- murmur (v.)
- late 14c., from Old French murmurer "murmur, grouse, grumble" (12c.), from murmur "rumbling noise" (see murmur (n.)). Related: Murmured; murmuring.
Example
- 1. A heart murmur or a rapid or pronounced heartbeat
- 2. Many heart murmurs are innocent , meaning the murmur isn 't dangerous to your child 's health .
- 3. These patients will have similar physical examination findings , pale mucous membranes , tachycardia , and possibly splenomegaly or a new heart murmur , or both .
- 4. I could hear the soft murmur of voices and , at the end of the corridor , saw a cluster of people laughing and talking in the communal washing and cooking area .
- 5. After a good dinner , a surprising number of european union officials and politicians will murmur that de gaulle was right : britain should never have joined .