murmuration

Estimated CEFR level: C2 — Proficiency

Estimated from word frequency; not an official CEFR classification.

Definition

  1. noun a low continuous indistinct sound; often accompanied by movement of the lips without the production of articulate speech

Etymology

1350–1400; Medieval Latin murmuratio (“murmuring, grumbling”). The “flock of starlings” sense is probably derived from the sound of the very large groups that starlings form at dusk.

In classic literature

Synonyms

mutter, muttering, murmur, murmuring, mussitation

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