mouth

mouth [mouth; ] for v. [ mouth]

n.

pl. mouths [mouthz] [ME < OE muth, akin to Ger mund < IE base * menth-, to chew > Gr masasthai, L mandere, to chew]

1. the opening through which an animal takes in food; specif., the cavity, or the entire structure, in the head of any of the higher animals which contains the teeth and tongue and through which sounds are uttered

2.

a) the mouth regarded as the organ of chewing and tasting

b) the mouth regarded as the organ of speech

3. a person or animal regarded as a being needing food [six mouths to feed]

4. the lips, or the part of the face surrounding the lips

5. a wry expression of the face; grimace: now only in the phrase make mouths (or a mouth) at

6. any opening regarded as like the mouth; specif.,

a) the part of a river, stream, etc. where the water empties into another body of water

b) the opening into the earth of a cave, volcano, tunnel, etc.

c) the opening of a container, through which it is filled or emptied

d) the front opening in the barrel of a gun

e) the opening between the jaws of a vise, etc.

f) the opening between the lips of an organ pipe

g) the opening in a flute across which the player blows

vt.

1.

a) to say, esp. in an affected, oratorical, or insincere manner; declaim

b) to form (a word) with the mouth soundlessly

2. to take or put into the mouth

3. to caress or rub with the mouth or lips

4. to train (a horse) to become accustomed to the bit

vi.

1. to speak in an affected or oratorical manner; declaim

2. Rare to make a wry face by twisting the mouth; grimace

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down in the mouth or down at the mouth

Informal depressed; unhappy; discouraged

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give mouth to

Now Rare to express in speech; say

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have a big mouth

Slang to have a tendency to mouth off

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☆ mouth off Slang

to talk loudly, excessively, indiscreetly, or impudently

mouther [mouth′ər]

n.

mouthless

adj.