murmur

[[t]mɜ͟ː(r)mə(r)[/t]]

murmurs, murmuring, murmured

1) VERB If you murmur something, you say it very quietly, so that not many people can hear what you are saying.

[V n to n] He turned and murmured something to the professor...

[V n] She murmured a few words of support...

[V with quote] `How lovely,' she murmured...

[V that] Murmuring softly that they must go somewhere to talk, he led her from the garden.

2) N-COUNT: usu adj N A murmur is something that is said which can hardly be heard.

They spoke in low murmurs...

She gave a little murmur.

3) N-SING: with supp A murmur is a continuous low sound, like the noise of a river or of voices far away.

The piano music mixes with the murmur of conversation...

I could hear the murmur of the sea...

The clamor of traffic has receded to a distant murmur.

Syn:

hum

4) N-COUNT: with supp A murmur of a particular emotion is a quiet expression of it.

The promise of some basic working rights draws murmurs of approval...

Already there are murmurs of discontent.

5) N-COUNT: usu sing A murmur is an abnormal sound which is made by the heart and which shows that there is probably something wrong with it.

The doctor said James had now developed a heart murmur.

6) PHRASE: PHR after v If someone does something without a murmur, they do it without complaining.