Murmur Meaning: Definition, Examples, and Translations
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murmur
[ˈmɜːrmər ]
Definitions
whispering sound
To make a low, continuous sound, like the noise of water flowing gently along a stream. It is often used to describe the soft, indistinct, and continuous sound produced by a person speaking quietly or complaining quietly.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- She could hear him murmur in his sleep.
- The group murmured in agreement.
- I could hear the murmur of voices in the distance.
low, indistinct sound
A low, continuous sound, like the humming of bees or the sound of a gentle breeze. It can also refer to the indistinct and continuous sound of people talking quietly or complaining quietly.
Synonyms
Examples of usage
- The murmurs of the crowd filled the room.
- She spoke in a murmur so as not to wake the baby.
- The murmur of the wind through the trees was soothing.
Translations
To see the translation, please select a language from the options available.
Interesting Facts
Literature
- Writers often use 'murmur' to convey secrecy or intimacy in dialogue, capturing hushed conversations between characters.
- Several famous poets have incorporated the sound of murmurs in their works, symbolizing emotions like love or longing.
- In stories, settings with murmuring sounds often create a tranquil atmosphere, enhancing mood and ambiance.
Psychology
- Murmuring can evoke feelings of comfort or calmness, often associated with peaceful environments.
- It plays a significant role in non-verbal communication, where the tone and volume of murmurs convey emotions.
- Studies indicate that people can bond more during quiet conversations, as murmuring can create a sense of closeness.
Music
- Murmurs can be mimicked through soft instrumental sounds, often used to create relaxing melodies.
- In some genres, background murmurs can add depth to the music, enhancing the overall listening experience.
- The use of murmuring vocals in songs can evoke nostalgia or evoke deep emotional responses.
Science
- In biology, the concept of murmuring can describe the sounds made by certain animals, like birds, during communication.
- Acoustically, murmur is used to describe low-frequency sounds that can be crucial for understanding animal behavior.
- In medicine, a heart murmur indicates turbulent blood flow, often detected via a stethoscope, showing essential health indicators.
Origin of 'murmur'
Main points about word origin
- The word comes from the Latin 'murmurare,' which means 'to murmur' or 'to grumble'.
- This term has been used in English since the late 14th century, mostly to describe soft, indistinct sounds.
- Phonetically, the word consists of repeated sounds that make it feel soft and soothing.
The word 'murmur' originated from the Middle English word 'murmure', which came from the Old French 'murmurer' and the Latin 'murmurare'. The Latin root 'murmurare' meant 'to murmur, mutter, roar, growl'. Over time, the word evolved to its current usage in English, referring to a low, indistinct sound.