Literary notes about muzzle (AI summary)
In literature, "muzzle" is a remarkably versatile term that spans both literal and metaphorical realms. It often denotes a physical feature, as in anatomical descriptions of animals—a bull's striking muzzle or the detailed contours of a creature’s face [1, 2, 3]—and can also describe the front end of weapons, emphasizing imminent action or threat [4, 5, 6]. Additionally, the word functions symbolically, representing the silencing or restriction of speech and freedom, as when characters are figuratively muzzled to suppress their voices [7, 8, 9]. Intriguingly, "muzzle" even appears as a proper name for characters, infusing a unique eccentricity into their identity [10, 11, 12].
- This latter pair is situated half-way between the muzzle and the angle of the mouth, on the under surface of the lower jaw.
— from Malay Magic by Walter William Skeat - “Guillemette Maugerepuis, just look at that bull’s muzzle; it only lacks the horns.
— from Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo - he exclaimed with a laugh which laid bare all his teeth and made his face resemble the muzzle of a wolf, “two mice in the trap!”
— from Notre-Dame de Paris by Victor Hugo - He placed the muzzle of the pistol between his teeth.
— from The Count of Monte Cristo by Alexandre Dumas and Auguste Maquet - He heard a second report, and saw one of the sentinels with his rifle at his shoulder, a light cloud of blue smoke rising from the muzzle.
— from An Occurrence at Owl Creek Bridge by Ambrose Bierce - The other reached into the holster at his hip, drew his revolver, and tried to thrust its muzzle between the bull-dog’s jaws.
— from White Fang by Jack London - I fold up your tongue and muzzle your mouth; -wig -eak
— from Malay Magic by Walter William Skeat - They allowed a clamorous set of demagogues to muzzle and drive them as a pack of curs.
— from Memoirs of General William T. Sherman — Complete by William T. Sherman - If they signed that contract you’d have a perfect right to muzzle them.”
— from The Lani People by Jesse F. Bone - ‘It wasn’t Mr. Muzzle, was it?’ inquired Mary.
— from The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens - He cast his small eyes, first on Mr. Weller, and then on Mr. Muzzle, but said nothing.
— from The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens - ‘You will excuse my not taking more notice of you then,’ said Mr. Muzzle.
— from The Pickwick Papers by Charles Dickens
