Muzzle word meaning and definition

[noun] forward projecting part of the head of certain animals; includes the jaws and nose
[noun] restraint put into a person's mouth to prevent speaking or shouting
[noun] the open circular discharging end of a gun
[verb] prevent from speaking
[verb] fit with a muzzle, as of a dog to prevent it from biting

\Muz"zle\, n. [OE. mosel, OF. musel, F. museau muzzle or snout, LL. musellus, fr. musus, morsus. See {Muse}, v. i., and cf. {Morsel}.] 1. The projecting mouth and nose of a quadruped, as of a horse; a snout. 2. The mouth of a thing; the end for entrance or discharge; as, the muzzle of a gun. 3. A fastening or covering (as a band or cage) for the mouth of an animal, to prevent eating or vicious biting. With golden muzzles all their mouths were bound --Dryden. {Muzzle sight}. (Gun.) See {Dispart}, n., 2.
\Muz"zle\, v. t. [imp. & p. p. {Muzzled}; p. pr. & vb. n. {Muzzling}.] [F. museler.] 1. To bind the mouth of; to fasten the mouth of, so as to prevent biting or eating; hence, figuratively, to bind; to sheathe; to restrain from speech or action. ``My dagger muzzled.'' --Shak. Thou shalt not muzzle the ox when he treadeth out the corn. --Deut. xxv. 4. 2. To fondle with the closed mouth. [Obs.] --L'Estrange.
\Muz"zle\, v. i. To bring the mouth or muzzle near. The bear muzzles and smels to him. --L'Estrange.

Morse code: -- ..- --.. --.. .-.. .