Definition of muffle

The origin of the word "muffle" can be traced back to the Middle English language from the 14th century. Its original meaning was associated with the process of muting or muffling the sound of church bells, to prevent them from ringing too loudly during certain religious ceremonies or occasions. This practice was called "muffling the bell" or "muffleren of the belles." The Middle English word "mufflen" is believed to have been derived from the Old English word "myfellan," which means "to muffle, stifle, or suppress." This Old English root is also found in several other English words, such as "muffle" itself, as well as "mufflehead" (meaning "muffled or hushed"), "muffler" (meaning "a piece of fabric used to muffle sound"), and "muffled" (meaning "reduced in volume or intensity" or "half-deadened" or "softened in sound"). The use of "muffle" as a verb, meaning "to soften or dull the sound of" or "to cover or conceal (something) to prevent noise" is recorded in English usage as early as the 16th century. Its first recorded use as a noun meaning "a soundproof covering" is in the late 19th century, when it was commonly used to describe insulating materials for pipes or other hot or noisy objects. Overall, the origin of the word "muffle" reflects the historical importance of muting or controlling the sound of church bells for religious reasons, as well as a broader application of the term to describe the process of softening or dampening sound in various contexts.