non-speakingadj.
/nɒnˈspiːkɪŋ/, U.S. /nɑnˈspikɪŋ/ 1. That does not speak; spec. (of a theatrical role) not requiring an actor to speak.
ΘΚΠ
the mind > language > speech > [adjective] > speaking > not speaking
unspeakinga1382
non-speaking1850
non-communicating1960
society > leisure > the arts > performance arts > performer > [adjective] > type of performer
useful1740
supporting1863
speciality1873
quick change1882
featured1897
non-speaking1959
bankable1964
off-Broadway1971
1850–1 Rep. Convent. Revision Constit. State Indiana 1235/2 He turns round and says to the non-speaking members: ‘It is your right, gentlemen, to record your votes here. You are not here to speak, but to vote.’
1878 N. Amer. Rev. July 76 The ‘non-speaking’ reason, and that alone, was insisted on by Senators who advocated the removal [of Mr Sumner as chairman].
1959 P. Bull I know Face i. 14 Two non-speaking parts in a play.
1972 Daily Tel. 31 Oct. 14/6 Someone bearing a striking resemblance to the wild-eyed non-speaking member of the Marx Brothers team.
2001 Mirror (Nexis) 10 Nov. 29 The Star Trek fan once played a non-speaking cameo role in an episode of the cult series.
2. That cannot speak; unable to formulate speech; (also) mute.
ΘΚΠ
the world > physical sensation > hearing and noise > voice or vocal sound > loss or lack of voice > [adjective] > silent or not uttering
mutec1400
as mute as a mackerel (also maid, mouse, picture, poker, statue, stone)c1425
whust1573
tacit1604
as mute as a fish (also fishes)1620
tacent1652
non-speaking1911
1911 Jrnl. Philos., Psychol. & Sci. Methods 8 194 Certain anatomical characters which exclude man from the class of non-speaking animals.
1990 New Age Jrnl. Apr. 78/3 A San Francisco-area school for physically handicapped nonspeaking children.
This is a new entry (OED Third Edition, December 2003; most recently modified version published online March 2022).
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adj.1850