MUTE

MUTE, in grammar, a letter which yields no sound without the addition of a vowel. The simple consonants are ordinarily distinguished into mutes and liquids, or semi-vowels. See the articles CONSONANT, LIQUID, &c.

The mutes in the Greek alphabet are nine, three of which, viz. $\backslash pi$, $\backslash rho$, $\backslash sigma$, are termed tenues; three $\backslash beta$, $\backslash gamma$, $\backslash delta$, termed mediae, and three $\backslash zeta$, $\backslash chi$, $\backslash psi$, termed aspirates. See the article ASPIRATE, &c.

The mutes of the Latin alphabet are also nine, viz. B, C, D, G, I, K, P, Q, T.