muffled tone
[/ˈmʌfəld toʊn/]
nounpl: muffled tones
tom abafado
1. a sound or voice that is deadened, suppressed, or made indistinct by being covered or obstructed
She spoke in a muffled tone through the thick walls.
Ela falava em tom abafado através das paredes espessas.
2. a subdued or unclear quality of sound that lacks clarity or resonance
The muffled tone of the drums could barely be heard from outside.
O tom abafado dos tambores mal podia ser ouvido de fora.
3. speech or communication that is deliberately restrained or unclear in expression
He responded in a muffled tone, suggesting he was upset.
Ele respondeu em tom abafado, sugerindo que estava chateado.
In both American and Brazilian contexts, 'muffled tone' is commonly used in music, theater, and everyday communication to describe unclear or suppressed sound. In American English, it's frequently used in film criticism and audio engineering. In Brazilian Portuguese, 'tom abafado' is equally used in musical contexts and colloquially to describe someone speaking unclearly or emotionally restrainedly.
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