muzzle

/ˈmʌzəl/

/ˈmʌzəl/

Other forms: muzzles; muzzled; muzzling

A muzzle is a guard that covers an animal's mouth to keep it from biting. If your dog is aggressive, you might have to put a muzzle on her when you take her to the dog park.

Muzzle comes from the Latin morsus meaning "bite." A muzzle is the nose and mouth of an animal like a cat or dog. It's also the name for a guard made of straps or wire that's worn over this part of an animal's face to keep it from biting. It's the mouth of a gun, too. If you muzzle someone, you gag him to prevent him from speaking.

Definitions of muzzle

1. noun

   forward projecting part of the head of certain animals; includes the jaws and nose
   type of:

   face

   the part of an animal corresponding to the human face
2. noun

   a leather or wire restraint that fits over an animal's snout (especially a dog's nose and jaws) and prevents it from eating or biting
   type of:

   constraint, restraint

   a device that impede's something's motion
3. noun

   restraint put into a person's mouth to prevent speaking or shouting
   synonyms: gag

   type of:

   constraint, restraint

   a device that impede's something's motion
4. verb

   fit with a muzzle
   “muzzle the dog to prevent it from biting strangers”

   antonyms:

   unmuzzle

   remove the muzzle from (a dog)

   type of:

   equip, fit, fit out, outfit

   provide with (something) usually for a specific purpose
5. verb

   tie a gag around someone's mouth in order to silence them
   synonyms: gag

   type of:

   bind, tie

   fasten or secure with a rope, string, or cord
6. verb

   prevent from speaking out
   synonyms: gag

   type of:

   hush, hush up, quieten, shut up, silence, still

   cause to be quiet or not talk
7. noun

   the open circular discharging end of a gun
   synonyms: gun muzzle

   types:

   gunpoint, point

   the gun muzzle's direction

   type of:

   opening

   a vacant or unobstructed space that is man-made