mutton

¹

[muht-n]

noun

1. the flesh of sheep, especially full-grown or more mature sheep, used as food.

mutton

²

[muht-n]

noun

Printing.

1. em.

mutton

/ ˈmʌtən /

noun

1. the flesh of sheep, esp of mature sheep, used as food

2. an older woman dressed up to look young

3. printing another word for em Compare nut

Other Word Forms

• muttony adjective

Word History and Origins

Origin of mutton¹

First recorded in 1250–1300; Middle English moton “sheep,” from Old French, from Celtic; compare Breton maout “wether,” Middle Irish molt, Welsh mollt

Origin of mutton²

First recorded in 1935–40; code term, coined to differentiate the pronunciation of em quad from en quad

Word History and Origins

Origin of mutton¹

C13 moton sheep, from Old French, from Medieval Latin multō, of Celtic origin; the term was adopted in printing to distinguish the pronunciation of em quad from en quad

Example Sentences

The silvery mutton chops peeking out from beneath a weather-beaten train engineer’s cap.

From Los Angeles Times

For those with more money, mutton is on the menu - usually roasted.

From BBC

In the country, where rodeo is king, parents sign up their kids for mutton bustin’.

From Los Angeles Times

Pork, beef, lamb, mutton, goat, venison and any other products made from these meats - such as sausages - from the EU have been banned.

From BBC

Upon stepping into the clubhouse, Steinbrenner was repulsed by the long hair, mutton chops and flowing mustaches then associated with hippies and the anti-establishment movement.

From Los Angeles Times