MUTE

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

The mutes in the Greek alphabet are nine, three of which, viz. $\backslash pi$, $\backslash kappa$, $\backslash tau$, are termed tenuis; three $\backslash beta$, $\backslash gamma$, $\backslash delta$, termed medice; and three $\backslash phi$, $\backslash chi$, $\backslash psi$, termed aspirata. See the article ASPIRATE, &c.

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