资料来源 : Webster's Revised Unabridged Dictionary (1913)

Mute \Mute\, a. [L. mutus; cf. Gr. ? to shut, Skr. m?ta bound,
   m?ka dumb: cf. OE. muet, fr. F. muet, a dim. of OF. mu, L.
   mutus.]
   1. Not speaking; uttering no sound; silent.

            All the heavenly choir stood mute, And silence was
            in heaven.                            --Milton.

   Note: In law a prisoner is said to stand mute, when, upon
         being arranged, he makes no answer, or does not plead
         directly, or will not put himself on trial.

   2. Incapable of speaking; dumb. --Dryden.

   3. Not uttered; unpronounced; silent; also, produced by
      complete closure of the mouth organs which interrupt the
      passage of breath; -- said of certain letters. See 5th
      {Mute}, 2.

   4. Not giving a ringing sound when struck; -- said of a
      metal.

   {Mute swan} (Zo["o]l.), a European wild white swan ({Cygnus
      gibbus}), which produces no loud notes.

资料来源 : WordNet®

mute swan
     n : soundless Eurasian swan; commonly domesticated [syn: {Cygnus
         olor}]