Murmur
Definitions
- Any low, indistinct sound, like that of running water.
- Soft indistinct speech.
- The sound made by any condition which produces a noisy, or turbulent, flow of blood through the heart.
- A muttered complaint or protest; the expression of dissatisfaction in a low muttering voice; any expression of complaint or discontent.
Equivalents
Examples
“The delightful murmur of water running over pebbles is heard a few yards off”
“1979: A translation of the Eclogues by Paul Alpers The windy murmur of the breeze subsides.”
“A murmur arose from the audience.”
“She howl'd aloud, “I am on fire within. / There comes no murmur of reply⟳. / What is it that will take⟳ away my sin, / And save⟳ me lest I die⟳?””
“In the prison of the 'tween decks reigned a darkness pregnant with murmurs. The sentry at the entrance to the hatchway was supposed to "prevent⟳ the prisoners from making a noise," but he put⟳ a very liberal interpretation upon the clause, and so long as the prisoners refrained from shouting, yelling, and fighting--eccentricities in which they sometimes indulged--he did not disturb them.”
“The moment had come⟳ for the honeyed word. I lowered my voice to a confidential murmur, but on her inquiring if I had laryngitis raised it again.”
“[President Trump's firing of a dozen inspectors general] seems to have⟳ violated a law requiring that he provide⟳ 30 days’ notice⟳, and set⟳ off a rare murmur of dissent from Capitol Hill Republicans.”
“Since aortic diastolic pressure is higher than pulmonary artery systolic pressure, there is continuous flow⟳ into the pulmonary circulation, creating the characteristic continuous ("machinery") murmur, heard best just below the left clavicle.”
“In fear of disease and in the interest⟳ of his health man will be muzzled and masked like⟳ a vicious dog, and that without any murmur of complaint.”
“Glossop will return⟳ from his afternoon off to find⟳ the awful majesty of the Law waiting for him, complete⟳ with handcuffs. We can hardly expect⟳ him to accept⟳ an exemplary sentence without a murmur, so his first move⟳ will be to establish⟳ his innocence by revealing all.”
CEFR level
C2
Mastery
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.
This word is part of the CEFR C2 vocabulary — mastery level.
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