muffler (mufler)

Anything used to muffle or wrap up. Specifically-(a) A sort of kerchief or scarf worn by women in the sixteenth century and later to cover the lower part of the face, the neck and ears, etc., either for protection against the sun or wind, or for partial concealment when in public. See half - mask. He might put on a hat, a muffler , and a kerchief, and so escape. Shak., M. W. of W., iv. 2. 73. (b) A glove, generally without fingers but with a thumb; a mitten. 5. In chem. and metal ., an arched ve el, re- sisting the strongest fire, made to be placed over cupels and tests in the operation of a ay ing, to preserve them from coming in contact with fuel, smoke, or ashes, though at the same time of such a form as not to hinder the action apartment only for the thumb, and a common room or tap of the air and fire on the metal, nor prevent the inspection of the a ayer. In the cop pilling of a fixed metall, which, as long as any lead or dro e or any allay remains with it, continueth still melting, flowing, and in motion under the muffle . Howell , Parly of Beasts, p. 148. ( Davies .) 6. A small furnace with a chamber in which pottery or porcelain painted with metallic colors is baked or fired.-7. A pulley-block containing several sheaves. E. H. Knight. - Hard muffle colors. See hard. — Muffle-painting, ceramic decoration by painting which will not bear the heat of the porcelain furnace, but is glazed or fixed at the lower temperature of the muffle. Painting upon enamel, whether the enamel is applied upon metal or a ceramic paste, is of this nature. Muffle-painting is divided into two kinds - hard muffle painting, or dem i-grand-feu, and ordinary or soft muffle painting.