murmur · noun — any low, indistinct sound, like that of running water. It carries an Arena rating of 2069, earned across 38 head-to-head judged battles.
Definition from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).
Among words judged in Lexicurio's Arena, murmur ranks #79 of 17,132 for Most Elegant Words, #125 of 17,143 for Most Malleable Words, #451 of 17,134 for Most Beautiful Words, #660 of 17,147 for Most Ingenious Words.
murmur is pronounced /ˈmɜːmə/.
Why “murmur” is a great word
A low, continuous, and indistinct sound, such as that of running water, quiet speech, or a heart sound; or, to speak softly and indistinctly. From Middle English murmur, from Old French murmure, from Latin murmur ("murmur, humming, muttering, roaring"), of imitative, onomatopoeic origin, first recorded in English in the late 14th century. Unlike "din," a loud and cacophonous assault, or "whisper," a purposeful, breathy secret, a murmur is the world's background hum, a susurrus that occupies the space between silence and statement. It is the secret counsel of a stream over stones, the half-heard liturgy of a drowsy congregation, the soft, syncopated percussion of a heart protesting its captivity—the audible evidence of life persisting, just below the threshold of declaration.
❧ Essay by Lexicurio’s AI · definition, etymology & citations from published sources
Etymology
From Middle English murmur, murmor, murmour, from Old French murmure (modern French murmure), from Latin murmur (“murmur, humming, muttering, roaring, growling, rushing etc.”).
noun
- Any low, indistinct sound, like that of running water.e.g.“The delightful murmur of water running over pebbles is heard a few yards off” — 1854, Narrative of a Journey Round the Dead Sea, and in the Bible Lands:
- Soft indistinct speech.e.g.“A murmur arose from the audience.”
- 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.e.g.“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.” — 1919, Boris Sidis, The Source and Aim of Human Progress:
verb
- To grumble; to complain in a low, muttering voice, or express discontent at or against someone or something.e.g.“The Iewes then murmured at him because he sayde: I am that breed which is come doune from heaven.” — 1526, [William Tyndale, transl.], The Newe Testamẽt […] (Tyndale Bible), [Worms, Germany: Peter Schöffer], →OCLC, John vj:[41]:
- To speak or make low, indistinguishable noise; to mumble, mutter.e.g.“I couldn't hear the words; he just murmured a lot.”
- To say (something) indistinctly, to mutter.e.g.“I […] heard thee murmur tales of iron wars;” — c. 1597 (date written), William Shakespeare, “The First Part of Henry the Fourth, […]”, in Mr. William Shakespeares Comedies, Histories, & Tragedies […] (First Folio), London: […] Isaac Iaggard, and E
Definitions & examples from Wiktionary (CC BY-SA 3.0).