murmur
mur·mur / ˈmərmər/ • n. a soft, indistinct sound made by a person or group of people speaking quietly or at a distance: his voice was little more than a murmur. ∎ a softly spoken or almost inaudible utterance: she accepted his offer with a quiet murmur of thanks. ∎ the quiet or subdued expression of a particular feeling by a group of people: there was a murmur of approval from the crowd. ∎ a rumor: he had heard hints only, murmurs. ∎ a low continuous sound: the murmur of bees in the rhododendrons. ∎ Med. a recurring sound heard in the heart through a stethoscope that is usually a sign of disease or damage. ∎ inf. a condition in which the heart produces or is apt to produce such a sound: she had been born with a heart murmur.• v. say something in a low, soft, or indistinct voice: [tr.] Nina murmured an excuse and hurried away | [with direct speech] “How interesting,” he murmured quietly. ∎ [intr.] make a low continuous sound: the wind was murmuring through the trees. ∎ say something cautiously and discreetly: [intr.] they began to murmur of an uprising. ∎ [intr.] (murmur against) archaic express one's discontent about (someone or something) in a subdued manner.PHRASES: without a murmur without complaining.DERIVATIVES: mur·mur·er n.mur·mur·ous / -mərəs/ adj.