Definition of mutism in English:
 mutism
noun ˈmjuːtɪz(ə)mˈmjudˌɪzəm
mass noun1Inability to speak, typically as a result of congenital deafness or brain damage.
 Example sentencesExamples
-  Damage can occur to the basal ganglia or to the frontal lobes (behind the brow) which control initiation of speech, causing mutism when damaged.
 
- 1.1 Unwillingness or refusal to speak, arising from psychological causes such as depression or trauma.
 Example sentencesExamples
-  A 14-year-old boy with a pre-existing history of autism exhibited stupor with mutism, akinesia, rigidity, waxy flexibility, posturing, facial grimacing and involuntary movements of the upper extremities.
 -  Selective mutism would manifest only in particular social situations rather than globally.
 -  Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder that is usually specific to certain settings, such as a school classroom.
 -  Others suffered from psychoneurotic symptoms alone - mutism, loss of speech, hysterical twitching, and uncontrollable jerkings of arms and legs.
 -  Some were 9 and practiced selective mutism; they chose to not talk - to not say one word ever - during school.
 
 
Origin
  
Early 19th century: from French mutisme, from Latin mutus 'mute'.
   Definition of mutism in US English:
 mutism
nounˈmyo͞odˌizəmˈmjudˌɪzəm
1Inability to speak, typically as a result of congenital deafness or brain damage.
 Example sentencesExamples
-  Damage can occur to the basal ganglia or to the frontal lobes (behind the brow) which control initiation of speech, causing mutism when damaged.
 
- 1.1 Unwillingness or refusal to speak, arising from psychological causes such as depression or trauma.
 Example sentencesExamples
-  A 14-year-old boy with a pre-existing history of autism exhibited stupor with mutism, akinesia, rigidity, waxy flexibility, posturing, facial grimacing and involuntary movements of the upper extremities.
 -  Selective mutism would manifest only in particular social situations rather than globally.
 -  Selective mutism is an anxiety disorder that is usually specific to certain settings, such as a school classroom.
 -  Some were 9 and practiced selective mutism; they chose to not talk - to not say one word ever - during school.
 -  Others suffered from psychoneurotic symptoms alone - mutism, loss of speech, hysterical twitching, and uncontrollable jerkings of arms and legs.
 
 
Origin
  
Early 19th century: from French mutisme, from Latin mutus ‘mute’.