sourdine
noun
sour·dine
ˈsu̇(ə)rˌdēn
plural -s
1
: any of several obsolete musical instruments distinguished by their low or soft tone: such as
a
: a trumpet used in giving soldiers the signal to march
b
: spinet
2
: mute entry 2 sense 3
Word History
Etymology
French, from Italian sordina, sordino, from sordo silent, dull-sounding, deaf (from Latin surdus) + -ina, -ino (diminutive suffixes)