muzzle
/ˈmʌzl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmʌzl/ (ame, ipa) · /ˈmə-zəl/ (ame, mw) · /ˈmʌz.əl/ (bre, ipa) · /ˈmʌz.əl/ (ame, ipa)
muzzle — noun
- muzzlesingular
- muzzlesplural
1. the front part of certain animals' faces that sticks out and includes the nose a
the front part of certain animals' faces that sticks out and includes the nose and jaws, most often seen on dogs, horses, and bears.
Jenna gently stroked the puppy's soft muzzle as it fell asleep on her lap.
stroke/touch + possessive + muzzle (animal body part)
The brown bear lifted its muzzle to catch the scent of salmon nearby.
lift/raise + muzzle to detect smell
Frost covered the horse's long muzzle after the cold morning ride through the forest.
The collie pushed its black muzzle against the gate, hoping for a treat from Tamar.
用法筆記
Most common with mammals that have visibly projecting noses and jaws. Distinguish from sense 2: this refers to the body part itself, not a device put over it.
常見錯誤
2. a leather, plastic, or wire guard placed around a dog's (or other animal's) fron
a leather, plastic, or wire guard placed around a dog's (or other animal's) front face so the animal cannot bite or eat anything while it is wearing the guard.
Tunde slipped a leather muzzle over the rescue dog before taking him to the vet.
put/slip on + muzzle as a safety device
Some breeds must wear a muzzle in public parks under the new city rules.
wear + muzzle (legal requirement context)
Cyrus finally removed the plastic muzzle once the greyhound stopped snapping at strangers.
The trainer fitted each fighting dog with a soft basket muzzle during practice.
- gag
usually applied to humans, not animals; muzzle is the standard term for dogs
用法筆記
Subject is usually a person putting the device on an animal. The device's purpose appears as 'so/to prevent biting/eating'. Often introduced with 'put on', 'fit', 'wear', or 'remove'.
常見錯誤
3. the round opening at the very front tip of a gun's long tube, from which the bul
the round opening at the very front tip of a gun's long tube, from which the bullet flies out when the weapon is fired.
Reuben pointed the muzzle of the rifle safely toward the ground while crossing the field.
point/aim + muzzle in a direction (safety context)
Smoke drifted from the muzzle of the old cannon long after the demonstration ended.
smoke/heat coming from the muzzle after firing
Rodrigo cleaned the muzzle of his hunting rifle with a small wire brush.
The officer kept the muzzle of her pistol lowered as she approached the parked car.
- barrel tip
descriptive paraphrase; 'muzzle' is the standard single-word term
- breech
the rear end of a gun barrel, where ammunition is loaded
用法筆記
Almost always followed by 'of [a gun / rifle / pistol / cannon]'. Common in safety contexts ('keep the muzzle pointed away') and in compounds like 'muzzle velocity' and 'muzzle flash'.
muzzle — verb
- muzzlepresent simple I / you / we / they
- muzzles3rd person singular
- muzzling-ing form
- muzzledpast simple
1. to fasten a guard over the nose and jaws of an animal so that it cannot bite or
to fasten a guard over the nose and jaws of an animal so that it cannot bite or eat while wearing the device.
Henrik had to muzzle his German shepherd before the groomer would touch its paws.
transitive: muzzle + [animal] before doing something risky
Local law requires owners to muzzle large breeds whenever they ride the subway.
muzzle + [animal] (legal/rule context, frequent passive too)
The handler quickly muzzled the bear cub so its leg wound could be cleaned.
Élise muzzled the nervous greyhound only during long car trips to the countryside.
文法句型
muzzle + animal
用法筆記
Object is the animal, not the device. Often appears in rules or safety advice ('owners must muzzle…'). Frequently passive: 'dogs must be muzzled'.
常見錯誤
2. to use rules, threats, or other forms of pressure that block a person, group, or
to use rules, threats, or other forms of pressure that block a person, group, or news outlet from saying what they really think in public.
Critics say the new law is designed to muzzle independent journalists across the country.
muzzle + journalists/media (political/press-freedom context)
Indra accused the school board of trying to muzzle parents who disagreed at meetings.
muzzle + people who voice disagreement
The whistleblower had been muzzled for years by tight non-disclosure agreements.
Activists in the small town refused to be muzzled by repeated threats from local officials.
- amplify
make a voice louder or more widely heard
文法句型
muzzle + person/group
be muzzled by + agent
用法筆記
Strong, negative word: the subject is doing something the speaker disapproves of. Subjects are usually governments, courts, employers, or institutional rules; objects are usually critics, the press, or dissenting voices. Frequently passive.