a general sense, signifies a person that cannot speak, or has not the use of speech.

law, a person that stands dumb or speechless, when he ought to answer, or to plead. See ARRANGEMENT.

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., ξ, χ, ψ, are termed tenues; three β, γ, δ, termed mediae; and three φ, χ, ψ, 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.