Main Entry:

¹mouth

Pronunciation:

\ˈmau̇th\

Function:

noun

Inflected Form(s):

plural mouths \ˈmau̇thz also ˈmau̇z, ˈmau̇ths; in synecdochic compounds like “blabbermouths” ths more frequently\

Usage:

often attributive

Etymology:

Middle English, from Old English mūth; akin to Old High German mund mouth and perhaps to Latin mentum chin

Date:

before 12th century

1 a: the natural opening through which food passes into the body of an animal and which in vertebrates is typically bounded externally by the lips and internally by the pharynx and encloses the tongue, gums, and teeth b: grimace <made a mouth> c: an individual requiring food <had too many mouths to feed>2 a: voice, speech <finally gave mouth to her feelings> b: mouthpiece 3a c (1): a tendency to excessive talk (2): saucy or disrespectful language : impudence3: something that resembles a mouth esp. in affording entrance or exit: as a: the place where a stream enters a larger body of water b: the surface opening of an underground cavity c: the opening of a container d: an opening in the side of an organ flue pipe

— mouth·like \ˈmau̇th-ˌlīk\ adjective

— down in the mouth

: dejected, sulky