muffledlyadv.
/ˈmʌfldli/, U.S. /ˈməfəldli/ In a muffled manner; indistinctly.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > degree, kind, or quality of sound > non-resonance > [adverb] > deadened
deaflya1861
mutedly1890
muffledly1903
1903 J. Conrad & F. M. Hueffer Romance i. iii. 21 The church clock began muffledly to chime the quarters.
1946 E. O'Neill Iceman Cometh iii. 207 He hides his face on his arms, sobbing muffledly.
1988 I. Banks Walking on Glass (BNC) 85 ‘Are you sure you wouldn't like to ask more complicated questions?’ the small attendant said, muffledly.
This entry has been updated (OED Third Edition, March 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adv.1903